Aker BP and its partners Equinor and DNO have drilled an appraisal well on the 'Verdandi' and 'Lillefix' discoveries in the North Sea. The well increases the projected discovery size.
Prior to drilling, the companies presumed that the size was 0.6–1.9 million Sm3 of oil equivalent (4-12 million barrels). Preliminary calculations after drilling amount to 1.3–2.4 million Sm3 of oil equivalent (8-15 million barrels).
The companies are now considering the profitability and whether the discovery can potentially be tied back to the Symra field.
Well 16/1-EA-4 H was drilled about 200 kms west of Stavanger by the Deep Sea Nordkapp drilling rig. It was drilled from the subsea template on the Symra field as a horizontal appraisal wellbore. This was the 11th exploration well in production licence 167, which was awarded in the 13th licensing round.
Geological information
The objective of the well was to prove reservoir rocks from the Palaeocene in the Heimdal Formation, as well as to confirm the extent of the reservoir and presumed oil-water contact.
Well 16/1-EA-4 H encountered a 14-metre gas column and a 44-metre oil column in sandstone layers in the Heimdal Formation. The gas-oil contact was encountered at 1776 metres below sea level. A total of 1515 reservoir metres were drilled horizontally through the oil zone in the Heimdal Formation with moderate reservoir quality.
Data acquisition has been carried out, which included obtaining fluid samples and pressure points.
Well 16/1-EA-4 H was drilled to a vertical depth of 1864 metres below sea level and was terminated in the Heimdal Formation from the Palaeocene.
Water depth at the drilling site is 116 metres, and the well has been permanently plugged and abandoned.
Source: Norwegian Offshore Directorate
