The primary exploration target for the well was to prove petroleum in Middle Jurassic to Late Triassic reservoir rocks (the Realgrunn sub-group). The secondary exploration target was to prove petroleum in Late to Middle Triassic reservoir rocks (Tubåen and Snadd formation), depending on the well result in the primary target.
Well 7317/9-1 encountered multiple sandstone layers in both exploration targets, totalling about 60 metres in the Realgrunn sub-group and about 50 metres that are preliminarily correlated to the Snadd formation. All sandstone layers have poor to no reservoir quality. The well is dry.
Along with 7318/12-2 Boné, this is a true wildcat based on very limited well control, but with a valid geological concept, being the ‘conjugate margin’ in the Bjørnøya Basin to the petroleum system around the Skrugard discoveries, on the West side of the Loppa High. This well could potentially have opened up the northwesternmost petroleum province on the NCS: the Stappen High. Unfortunately, the well was dry, and contained poor reservoir quality rocks.
The prospect was by many considered “high risk – high reward” and a potential “play opening well”.
Link to press release
Exploration Innovation Prize
“The Exploration Innovation Prize will be awarded to a license group, company, team or individual who during the last two years have given a courageous and innovative contribution in exploring for oil and gas on the NCS. The recipient has matured and drilled a prospect that can be defined as high risk and high potential. The prospect must have been drilled, but can be classified as dry, technical discovery or commercial discovery”.
The Programme Committee for the conference NCS Exploration – Recent Discoveries has selected ten worthy candidates amongst wells that were drilled in 2016 or 2017.
“A true wildcat, with very limited well control, but a valid geological concept …
The candidates are (in alphabetical order): Boné (Eni), Brasse (Faroe), Cara (Engie), Filicudi (Lundin), Kayak (Statoil), Koigen Central (Statoil), Korpfjell(Statoil), Salander (Statoil), Zumba (Tullow) and Ørnen (Lundin).
The exploration community is now – until April 2nd, encouraged to vote for their favourite candidate, upon which the programme committee will select three candidates for a final vote.
“The well was drilled successfully up-flank and proved oil and gas that are very likely to be a commercial discovery
The winner of the Exploration Innovation Prize will be announced during the conference dinner May 23.
