Gas discoveries in the Vøring Basin in the Norwegian Sea

INPEX Idemitsu Norge AS (“IIN”) (30 %) and OMV (Norge) AS (Operator; 40 %), and Vår Energi AS (30 %) have made gas discoveries in well 6605/6-1 S “Haydn/Monn”, south-west of the Aasta Hansteen field in the Norwegian Sea.

She is pleased to see that the company delivers on its exploration strategy, with a potential future development. This is very encouraging for further exploration activities in the Norwegian Sea to seek gas development. The discoveries highlight the potential of the region and reinforces the company’s commitment to gas opportunities also in IIN’s other production licences in the area.

The discoveries were made in production licence 1194, 65 km south-west of the Aasta Hansteen field, and 310 km west of Sandnessjøen. The wells were drilled using the Transocean Norge semi-submersible drilling rig.

The primary and secondary exploration targets for the well were to prove hydrocarbons in the Upper Cretaceous Springar and Nise formations. Discoveries were made in the Springar formation (Haydn) and in the Nise formation (Monn).  In addition, a gas bearing sand was encountered in the lower Springar Formation.  The licensees will evaluate the discoveries for possible future development.

Production licence 1194, which was awarded in 2023, has drilled the well just one and a half year after licence award. The proximity to the Aasta Hansteen production facility, with gas export pipeline to Nyhamna and further to UK and Europe, facilitates potential development of the discoveries, utilising existing infrastructure to accelerate production at reduced cost.

INPEX Idemitsu Norge (IIN) is part of INPEX Corporation, Japan’s leading energy enterprise. The company entered the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) in 1989 by acquiring a stake in the Snorre field. The IIN office is located in Lysaker and currently employs around eighty highly skilled and experienced professionals.