A group led by Wintershall Norge ASA has a Lower Cretaceous gas-condensate discovery in the Norwegian Sea.
Wintershall as operator has confirmed the discovery of movable hydrocarbons in sandstone layers of the Lange formation, the Rodriguez well’s secondary target, said interest owner Faroe Petroleum. The well, the first on PL475, is interpreted as having penetrated an estimated 9 m of net gas-condensate pay at the edge of the reservoir.
The operator’s preliminary volumetric estimate of the size of the discovery is between 19 million and 126 million bbl of oil equivalent recoverable. Appraisal is needed to establish size and lateral extent.
The 6407/1-6 S well has been plugged after being drilled to 4,250 m measured depth, 4,050 m true vertical depth below sea level, in the Lower Jurassic Ror formation in 291 m of water 4 km northeast of Tyrihans field and 8 km southeast of the 6406/3-8 oil and gas discovery, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate said.
The well’s primary targets, the Middle Jurassic Garn and Ile formations, were 118 m and 123 m thick, respectively, and contained water, NPD added.
Holding interests in the license besides Wintershall and Faroe Petroleum are Centrica Resources (Norge) AS, Concedo ASA, and Spring Energy Norway AS.
Faroe Petroleum said the partnership has at least two further matured and partly derisked prospects on the rest of the license.
“Faroe Petroleum already has the Fogelberg gas discovery in the Norwegian Sea, which is being matured towards a development decision to coincide with gas export capacity becoming available in the Norwegian pipeline system in a few years time.
“In this context, it is noted that the Norwegian authorities have recently proposed a significant reduction in gas transportation tariffs for new gas field developments. This proposal is now in a consultation process, to be completed by Mar. 15, 2013. If introduced, this change to tariffs would significantly improve project economics both of Fogelberg and this new gas-condensate discovery,” the company said.
The Transocean Arctic semisubmersible will proceed to PL418 in the northern North Sea to drill the 35/9-8 appraisal well, also operated by Wintershall Norge.
