By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, May 10 -- Statoil and two partners have drilled what appears to be an oil discovery with 12.5 to 56.5 million bbl of oil equivalent recoverable in the North Sea south of Oseberg South field off Norway.
The indicated discovery by Statoil, Det Norske Oljeselskap ASA, and Svenska Petroleum Exploration AS is at Krafla in Block 30/11. Six exploratory wells have been drilled on the block without commercial success, Statoil noted.
The Ocean Vanguard semisubmersible proved a column of good quality reservoir rock about 200 m thick. Data are still being collected, but “results so far clearly indicate that this is an oil discovery,” Statoil said. “If this is the case, then we have unlocked the exploration potential of this area and have several follow-up opportunities.”
When the well is complete, the rig will spud a planned sidetrack known as Krafla West. Krafla is Statoil’s first operated well on the license. Krafla, 26 km south of Oseberg South, could be placed on production quickly and help extend the life of existing installations. It likely will be tied back to a subsea installation in the Oseberg area.
Licensees in PL035/PL272 are Statoil operator with 50% interest and DNO and Svenska 25% each.
The 30/11-8 S Krafla exploratory well went to 3,822 m true vertical depth below sea level in the Lower Jurassic Dunlin Group in 107.5 m of water in PL035, awarded Nov. 14, 1969. It proved hydrocarbons in the primary target Middle Jurassic Brent Group. Krafla West is a Brent Group target.
Krafla is 16 km from the Katla prospect, proven in 2009, for which Statoil recently submitted a plan for development and production.
Chesapeake Energy Corp.
Photo from Trans Mountain Corp.
