The primary exploration target for the well was to prove petroleum in carbonate and spiculite reservoir rocks (the Røye Formation) in the Upper Permian. The secondary exploration target was to prove petroleum in underlying carbonates and sandstones (the Ørn Formation and the Soldogg Formation) in the Permian and Carboniferous ages.
In the primary exploration target, well 7130/4-1 encountered an approx. 40 metres thick aquiferous spiculite reservoir in the Røye formation, with poor reservoir quality.
In the secondary exploration target, the well proved traces of petroleum in the Ørn formation. The formation is about 180 metres thick but is mainly tight. In the Soldogg formation, the well encountered a 5 metre thick gas column in a sandstone reservoir with moderate reservoir quality. In total, the well encountered about 85 metres of reservoir in the Soldogg formation. The gas/water contact was encountered. The assessment of the size of the discovery is unclear at this time, but indications are that it is too small to be commercial.
While the Permian spiculite reservoir was dry, qualified geologists say the play still has a potential. In addition, the well results have implications for the continued exploration of Carboniferous sandstones.
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.
