By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Mar. 16 -- Statoil ASA spudded an appraisal well Sunday in Alve field, a small gas and condensate find near Norne field in the Norwegian Sea. The company is seeking to determine if Alve is larger than has already been proven or if crude oil is present, either of which could make development profitable, via a tie-in with the Norne complex.
"In our view, there's a good chance that possible additional resources in Alve will be oil," said Knut Chr Grindstad, exploration manager for the Halten/Nordland cluster.
The West Navigator drillship is drilling the well on a 6 week assignment. When the appraisal well is completed, the vessel will drill another exploration well in the Halten-Nordland area.
Statoil has a 50% interest in Alve. The other owners are Royal Dutch/Shell Group 40% and Norsk Hydro AS 10%.
