Statoil ASA is set to spud the Mariner Segment 9 well in early July, beginning a three-well exploration campaign on the UK Continental Shelf.
The wells will be drilled by Transocean’s Spitsbergen semisubmersible rig over 2-3 months.
Drilling of Mariner Segment 9 will last 15-25 days and could prove additional resources and increase the extent of Mariner field (OGJ Online, Dec. 2, 2016). The rig will then drill Jock Scott, a prospect on the underexplored margins of the Viking Graben, over 20-40 days. The third well, expected to last 30-70 days, will be at the Verbier prospect in the Moray Firth area.
“We hope to make discoveries that can add value to existing projects and also provide the resources necessary for new developments on the UKCS,” said Jenny Morris, Statoil vice-president exploration, UK.
Segment 9 partners are Statoil with 65.1111% interest, JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration Corp. 20%, Siccar Point Energy Ltd. 8.889%, and Dyas UK Ltd. 6%.
Jock Scott partners are Statoil 75% and BP Exploration Operating Co. Ltd. 25%.
Verbier partners are Statoil 70%, Jersey Oil & Gas PLC 18%, and CIECO Exploration & Production (UK) Ltd. 12%.