Appraisal well confirms oil discovery in the Norwegian Sea (6507/5-12 S)

The well was drilled about 22 kilometres northeast of the Heidrun field and about 270 kilometres north of Kristiansund.

This is the third exploration well in production licence 891, which was awarded in the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) in 2016.

The Slagugle oil discovery was proven in 2020. Preliminary calculations indicate a resource estimate in the range of 4.9 – 9.8 million standard cubic metres (Sm3) of oil equivalent, which corresponds to around 30.8 – 61.6 million barrels of oil equivalent in Triassic reservoir rocks (Middle Grey Beds). 

Additional volumes in the lower Åre Formation and Upper Grey Beds, which are not included in the production test, represent a possible upside potential. 

The licensees will now analyse the collected data and evaluate a possible development.

Geological information

The discovery was proven in 2020 in well 6507/5-10 S (Slagugle) in reservoir rocks in the Lower Jurassic (Åre Formation) and Triassic (Grey Beds). An attempt was also made to delineate the discovery in 2022 with well 6507/5-11, which was dry. 

The objective of well 6507/5-12 S was to delineate the discovery proven in well 6507/5-10 S (Slagugle), and to conduct a formation test to obtain better understanding of reservoir properties and connectivity in the hydrocarbon-bearing layers. 

Well 6507/5-12 S encountered several oil columns in a 188-metre interval in the Åre Formation and Grey Beds, 75 metres of which consist of sandstone with very good reservoir properties.

Extensive data collection and sampling have been carried out and a successful formation test has been completed. The maximum production rate was 650 Sm³ of oil per flow day through a 36/64-inch nozzle opening.

Appraisal well 6507/5-12 S was drilled to a vertical depth of 2169 metres below sea level/2260 metres measured depth, and was terminated in the Triassic (Red Beds). 

The well, which has been permanently plugged and abandoned, was drilled using the Deepsea Yantai drilling rig. Water depth at the site is 341 metres. 

The next stop for Deepsea Yantai is production licence 586 in the Norwegian Sea, where it will drill well 6406/11-2 S for Vår Energi and its partners.