41st Exploration pilot well in PL 089 near the Vigdis field in the North Sea proves hydrocarbons

Idemitsu Petroleum Norge AS (9.6 %) together with the Operator Equinor Energy AS (41.5 %), Vår Energi AS (16.1 %), Petoro AS (30 %) and Wintershall Dea Norge AS (2.8 %) have discovered oil in license PL 089 in the exploration pilot well 34/7-E-4 AH T2, testing the Lomre prospect, north of Vigdis West and Southwest of the Snorre field. This is the 41st exploration well in production license PL 089. The permit was granted in 1984.

The primary objective for the well was to prove hydrocarbons in reservoir rocks belonging to the Middle Jurassic Rannoch formation (Brent Gp).

The well encountered 20 metres of hydrocarbon-filled reservoir rocks with good reservoir quality. The oil/water contact is presumed detected from the logs. Pressures were measured in the reservoir. The TD was in the lower part of the Rannoch formation. Extensive data collection has been made in the well.

The discovery is likely to be developed by tie-in to the existing Vigdis infrastructure.

Well 34/7-E-4AH T2 was drilled as a shallow sidetrack from the existing 34/7-E-4 H well at Vigdis to a measured depth of 4459 meters and a vertical depth of 2517 meters below sea level. The water depth is 283 meters. The reservoir section will temporarily be plugged back. The well was drilled using the Transocean Norge drilling unit.

“Idemitsu Petroleum Norge AS is very satisfied with the result of the Lomre well, the 41st  exploration well in the very prolific PL 089 license. The results proved the license still has meaningful exploration potential and could contribute positively with increased and prolonged production at the Vigdis infrastructure” says Hiroshi Arikawa, Managing Director of Idemitsu Petroleum Norge AS.