Oil discovery in the Dugong prospect near Snorre Field in the North Sea – 34/4-15 S and 34/4- 15 A
Idemitsu Petroleum Norge AS (20 %) with the Operator Neptune Energy Norge AS (40 %), Petrolia NOCO AS (20 %) and Concedo ASA (20 %) have discovered oil in license PL882 in the exploration well 34/4-15 S, and sidetrack well 34/4-15 A 10 km west of the Snorre field.
The primary objective for well 34/4-15 S was to prove hydrocarbons in reservoir rocks belonging to the Middle Jurassic Rannoch formation (Brent Gp). The secondary exploration target was to prove the up-dip extent of Upper Jurassic sandstones.
The well encountered about 80 m of oil-bearing sandstones of moderate reservoir quality in the Rannoch Formation and the oil-water contact was not encountered. In the secondary exploration target about 10 m of poor quality sandstones with traces of petroleum were encountered.
The primary exploration target for appraisal well 34/4-15 A was to verify the hydrocarbon extension in the Rannoch Formation. The secondary exploration target was to test reservoir quality and hydrocarbon presence in Upper Jurassic sandstones.
The sidetrack well encountered an approximately 80 m thick Rannoch Formation sandstone of poor to moderate quality, containing an oil column. The secondary exploration target encountered an approximately 100 m thick Upper Jurassic sandstone interval of poor to moderate reservoir quality and the oil-water contact was not encountered.
The wells were not formation-tested, but extensive volumes of data have been acquired, and samples have been taken. The licensees will consider following up the discovery in an overall assessment of the area.
Well 34/4-15 S was drilled to a vertical depth of 3430 metres below sea level and a measured depth of 3571 metres. Well 34/4-15 A was drilled to a vertical depth of 3573 metres below sea level and a measured depth of 3844 metres. Both wells were terminated in the Early Jurassic Drake Formation of the Dunlin Group. Water depth at the site is 283 metres.
34/4-15 S and 34/4-15 A were drilled by the Deepsea Yantai drilling facility and will be permanently plugged and abandoned.
Idemitsu Petroleum Norge AS is very pleased with the result of the first exploration wells in PL882. IPN has actively pursued high value opportunities in the prolific Tampen area, and with the Dugong discovery we have now added valuable resources close to existing infrastructure. This discovery has also increased the potential for further discoveries in the license
