Equinor Energy AS discovered gas-condensate in the Linga prospect in production license (PL) 782 S, 16 km northwest of Balder field and 205 km west of Stavanger in 126 m of water.

Exploration well 25/7-13, the third in the license, was drilled by the COSL Innovator drilling rig to 4,606 m TVD below sea level and was terminated in the Heather formation from the Late Jurassic.

The primary exploration target was to prove petroleum in reservoir rocks from the Late Jurassic in the Draupne formation (Brae formation-equivalent).

The well encountered gas-condensate in separate sandstone layers in the Draupne formation with a total thickness of 13 m. The sandstone layers were of moderate reservoir quality. Preliminary estimates indicate the size of the discovery is 0.1-2.1 million cu m of recoverable oil equivalent.

The well was not formation-tested, but extensive volumes of data and samples were collected, including cores and hydrocarbon samples. The well has been permanently plugged and abandoned.

The licensees are now reviewing the result from well 25/7-13 and the other wells to consider further prospectivity (exploration potential) in the license.

COSL Innovator is now moving on to PL 50 HS in the northern part of the North Sea, where it will drill Equinor-operated wildcat well 34/10-56 S.

Equinor is operator of PL 782 S (60%) with partner Aker BP ASA (40%).