StatoilHydro taps gas, condensate on Fulla tract

Uchenna Izundu
OGJ International Editor

LONDON, Feb. 5 -- StatoilHydro has temporarily plugged and abandoned exploration well 30/11-7 on its Fulla prospect in the Norwegian North Sea. The company collected data and core samples from the find in the lower section of the Brent group in Middle Jurassic rocks.

The company drilled the 30/11-7 well northeast of Total SA's Frigg gas field, where decommissioning is under way and expected to be finished by summer 2010.

StatoilHydro used the West Alpha semisubmersible drilling unit on production license PL 362/PL035B.

"No hydrocarbons were found in the upper part of the Brent group, which was the main target of the exploration well," said Tom Dreyer, StatoilHydro vice-president for North Sea exploration and for exploration and production, Norway.

The company anticipates that the gas can quickly be brought on stream. "We are now considering drilling a sidetrack well to delineate the extent of the find," Dreyer said.

The well was drilled to 4,067 m TVD below sea level in 111 m of water. Drilling terminated in early Jurassic rocks.

StatoilHydro operates the license and holds a 50% stake. Its partners are Svenska Petroleum Exploration with a 25% interest, Det Norske Oljeselskap with 15%, and Dana Petroleum Norway 10%.

Contact Uchenna Izundu at [email protected].