Statoil reports small gas discovery in Barents Sea

July 17, 2017
Statoil ASA reported a small natural gas discovery in the Hammerfest basin in the Barents Sea about 21 km southeast of the Snohvit field.

Statoil ASA reported a small natural gas discovery in the Hammerfest basin in the Barents Sea about 21 km southeast of the Snohvit field.

Gas was found in a 23-m column in the Sto formation. No oil was encountered. Recoverable volumes are estimated at 2-3 billion cu m or 10-20 million boe.

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate said the gas column was in sandstone with moderate reservoir quality. The well was not formation tested.

The 7121/8-1 Blamann well was drilled in production license 849 by Songa Offshore AS’s Songa Enabler semisubmersible drilling rig in 378 m of water. It was drilled to a vertical depth of 2,228 m subsea and was terminated in the Snadd formation in the Upper Triassic (OGJ Online, Aug. 31, 2016).

The rig will move to the Hoop area to drill the Gemini North prospect in PL 855.

“We were exploring for oil and this is not the result we were hoping for,” said Jez Averty, Statoil senior vice-president for exploration in Norway and the UK. “However, this gas discovery has the potential to contribute additional resources to the Snohvit project.”

Operator Statoil has 50% in the Blamann well. Partners are Eni with 30% and Petoro with 20%.