Dry well in the Norwegian Sea (6305/10-1)

The drilling activity was carried out by the Deepsea Yantai rig. (Photo: Odfjell Drilling)

The drilling activity was carried out by the Deepsea Yantai rig. (Photo: Odfjell Drilling)

1/22/2025 Orlen Upstream Norway and its partner Norske Shell have drilled a dry well, wildcat well 6305/10-1 “Tomcat”, in the southern part of the Norwegian Sea.

This was the first exploration well in production licence 1055, which was awarded in 2020 (Awards in predefined areas (APA) 2019).

The drilling activity was carried out by the Deepsea Yantai rig, about 40 kilometres south of the Ormen Lange field.

Geological info

The objective of the well was to prove petroleum in Upper Cretaceous reservoir rocks in the Lysing Formation. The secondary exploration target was to prove petroleum in Upper Cretaceous reservoir rocks belonging to the Kvitnos and Lysing formations.

The primary exploration target was encountered 3806 metres below sea level. The reservoir zone was 118 metres thick with alternating siltstone, limestone and some thin sandstone layers with generally poor reservoir quality.

No reservoir was proven in the secondary exploration targets.

Well 6305/10-1 was drilled to a vertical depth of 3993 metres below sea level, and was terminated in the Lange Formation in the Lower Cretaceous.

Water depth at the site is 367 metres. The well has been permanently plugged and abandoned.

Map showing the location of well 6305/10-1

 

Contact
Bjørn Rasen

Tel: +47 51 87 60 00

Updated: 1/22/2025

Latest news

Appraisal well in the North Sea increases projection (16/1-EA-4 H)
9/25/2026 Aker BP and its partners Equinor and DNO have drilled an appraisal well on the "Verdandi" and "Lillefix" discoveries in the North Sea. This well increases the projected discovery size.
Production figures August 2026
9/22/2026 Preliminary production figures for August 2026 show an average daily production of 2 073 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate.
Aker BP has made a gas discovery in the North Sea (36/4-2 and 36/4-2 A)
9/16/2026 Preliminary calculations show that the size is between 0.15 and 2.4 million standard cubic metres of recoverable oil equivalent (Sm3 of o.e.), which corresponds to 1-15 million barrels.
Drilling permit for wellbore 25/9-5 S
9/15/2026 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Equinor Energy AS drilling permit for wellbore 25/9-5 S in production licence 1042.
Growing exploration interest
9/11/2026 The authorities have received applications from 21 companies in the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2025. The deadline for applications was 1 September.
New NCS map 2026
9/8/2026 You can now download or order a printed version of the Directorate's most recent map of the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS).
Resource report 2026 in English
9/8/2026 The Resource report is now also available in English.
New director at the Norwegian Offshore Directorate
9/7/2026 Siv Fagerland Christensen has taken up her position as Director of governance, finance and shared services.
Register for our seminar on sub-basalt exploration
8/31/2026 Welcome to a seminar on sub-basalt exploration on 15 October 2026 at our offices. The seminar speakers will represent operators, suppliers, academia and the authorities.
Okea receives award for improved recovery on its oil fields
8/25/2026 This year's winner of the Norwegian Offshore Directorate's “Improved Recovery Award” has worked systematically to revitalise the Draugen and Brage fields.