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.
The discovery was made 25 kilometres north of the Duva field.
This is the first exploration well in production licence 1153, which was awarded in APA 2021. The well in the "Alpehumle" prospect was drilled by the Scarabeo 8 rig.
The licensees will assess the well results to determine whether the discovery is economically profitable, as well as potential further delineation of the discovery.
In addition to Aker BP with a 40-per cent ownership interest, the other licensees are Inpex Idemitsu, Okea and Harbour Energy, with respective ownership interests of 30, 20 and 10 per cent.
Geological information
The primary exploration target for well 36/4-2 was to prove petroleum in reservoir rocks from the Early Cretaceous (the Agat Formation).
The objective of sidetrack 36/4-2 A was to delineate the discovery in 36/4-2 as well as to prove the hydrocarbon/water contact.
Well 36/4-2 encountered a 10-metre gas column in the Agat Formation, 10 metres of which were in sandstone layers with very good reservoir quality. The hydrocarbon/water contact was not proven.
Well 36/4-2 A encountered 4 metres of sandstone of very good reservoir quality in the Agat Formation. The reservoir was aquiferous.
Extensive data acquisition and sampling were conducted in both wells.
Well 36/4-2 was drilled to a vertical depth of 2250 metres below sea level and was terminated in basement rock.
Well 36/4-2 A was drilled to a vertical depth of 2320 metres below sea level and was terminated in an unidentified formation.
Water depth at the site is 255 metres, and the wells will be permanently plugged and abandoned.
Updated: 9/16/2026