Statoil makes gas discovery in the Norwegian Sea

Statoil has struck gas in an exploration well north of the Mikkel field in the Norwegian Sea. The discovery is being considered for development as a satellite to the Åsgard field.

"This again shows how prospective this area is,” says Geir Richardsen, head of Statoil’s exploration of infrastructure-led areas in the Norwegian Sea.

The gas deposit was proven through the drilling of exploration well 6407/2-6 S, some five kilometres north of the Mikkel field and 200 kilometres north of Kristiansund.

The well confirmed the existence of gas with a small oil column in the Tilje formation.

Extensive data acquisition and sampling are now being performed. Preliminary estimations of the size of the gas discovery suggest between 2 and 4 million standard cubic metres of recoverable oil equivalent reserves.

“This is a relatively small, but still commercial gas discovery. We are now planning the next steps in this interesting area,” the exploration manager explains.

The licensees in the exploration licence will consider various development solutions producing the discovery towards existing infrastructure on the Åsgard field. The well is the first exploration well in the Statoil-operated production licence 473 awarded in 2007. The drilling is now completed and the well will be permanently plugged and abandoned.