Statoil has proven the presence of gas condensate and light oil through two wells drilled close to the Gullfaks and Statfjord fields in the Norwegian North Sea. Exploration well 33/12-8S was drilled to 3,350 meters below mean sea level in the Dole prospect, while exploration well 33/12-8A was drilled to 3,369 meters in the Ole prospect. The latter is temporarily abandoned and will come on stream at a later stage.
Both wells lie in production license 152 and were drilled by the Borgland Dolphin rig. Hydrocarbons were proven in Middle Jurassic rocks in the wells. Due to similarities with the Rimfaks and Gullveig producing fields, the wells were not production tested.
Two development alternatives are being evaluated. The finds could be tied back via subsea templates on the Gullfaks South satellite field and then on to Gullfaks C, or they could be tied back to the Statfjord B platform.
Statoil will be the sole operator for the Tampen area when the group takes over Snorre, Visund, Vigdis, and Tordis from Norsk Hydro in January 2003. The group therefore wants to search for and develop small finds in the area to extend production from the Tampen platforms.
Statoil owns 58.89% on production license 152, Petoro 30%, and ExxonMobil 11.11%. Statoil entered an agreement to take over ExxonMobil's stake effective January 2002. Authorities are expected to approve the agreement before this summer.
