Statoil finds high impact well in North Sea

Well 16/2-8, drilled by the Transocean Leader drilling rig, has identified an approximately 65 m oil column in Jurassic sandstone. The acquired data confirm that this is a reservoir of excellent quality.

Statoil has previously described the well as a high-impact well (a total of more than 250 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe)). Preliminary volumes are estimated to be between 200 and 400 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) for this part of the structure in PL 265, and Statoil expects additional upside in the licence both north and south of the discovery.

Well 16/2-8 indicates the same oil-water contact as in the Avaldsnes discovery well, which suggests the likelihood of communication between the two structures. The Avaldsnes discovery encountered a 17-metre oil column. Statoil will update its total resource estimate for the area when the wells are completed and the data analysed.

“Aldous Major South is a considerable oil discovery in one of Statoil’s core areas. Together with the Avaldsnes discovery this may allow for a new stand-alone development in the North Sea. As the largest resource owner our priority is to find the optimal solution for the area, adding maximum value to all partners,” said Gro G. Haatvedt, Statoil’s senior vice president for Exploration on the Norwegian continental shelf.

After completing this well Transocean Leader will start drilling the Aldous Major North well. This well also has a considerable volume potential.

The result of the ongoing drilling of the Lundin-operated well (well 16/2-7) in the Avaldsnes structure will help further clarify the area’s potential. Statoil is the operator and has a 40% interest. The other partners are Petoro (30%), Det norske oljeselskap (20%) and Lundin (10%).

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/exploration/10082011/statoil_finds_high_impact_well_in_north_sea/