The well was drilled in license PL 849, awarded in 2016 in Norway’s Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) licensing round. Gas was found in a 23 meter column in the Stø formation. No oil volumes were encountered.
“We were exploring for oil and this is not the result we were hoping for,” says Jez Averty, senior vice president for exploration in Norway and the UK.
“However, this gas discovery has the potential to contribute additional resources to the Snøhvit project,” he notes.
The discovery is located in the Hammerfest basin, approximately 21 kilometers southeast of the Snøhvit field.
This is the second discovery in Statoil’s 2017 Barents Sea exploration campaign, following the Kayak oil discovery announced on 3 July.
The well was drilled by the “Songa Enabler” semisubmersible drilling rig, which will now move on to the Hoop area to drill the Gemini North prospect in license PL855, northeast of the Wisting discovery.
Licensees Blåmann (PL849): Statoil (operator) 50%, ENI 30% and Petoro 20%
Licensees Gemini North (PL855): Statoil (operator) 55%, OMV 25% and Petoro 20%
