Gas/condensate discovery in the Norwegian Sea (6406/11-2 S)

Preliminary estimates indicate that the size of the discovery is between 4-6.4 million standard cubic metres of oil equivalent, or 25-40 million barrels of oil equivalent. 

The licensees will now assess the discovery together with prospects in the area with a view towards a potential development tied back to existing infrastructure.

Wildcat well 6406/11-2 S was drilled in production licence 586, about 8 kilometres west of the Vår-operated Fenja field.

Production licence 586 was awarded in 2011 (Awards in predefined areas 2010), and 6406/11-2 S is the eighth wildcat well to be drilled in the production licence. 

The well was drilled by the Deepsea Yantai rig.

Geological information

The primary exploration target for the well was to prove petroleum in Lower to Middle Jurassic reservoir rocks in the Ile Formation (the Fangst Group). The secondary exploration target was to prove petroleum in Lower Jurassic reservoir rocks in the Tilje and Tofte Formations (the Båt Group).

Well 6406/11-2 S encountered a gas/condensate column of around 110 metres in the Ile Formation in a sandstone reservoir with moderate to good reservoir properties. The reservoir was around 145 metres thick. The petroleum/water contact was encountered 3513 metres below sea level. The total column is in excess of 210 metres.

In the secondary exploration targets in the Tilje and Tofte formations, aquiferous sandstones were encountered, with moderate reservoir quality.

Extensive data acquisition and sampling have been carried out.

The well was drilled to a vertical depth of 3857 metres below sea level and was terminated in the Åre Formation from the Late Triassic. Water depth at the site is 310 metres. The well will be permanently plugged and abandoned.