Aker BP, Equinor and DNO have raised the estimated size of the Verdandi and Lillefix discoveries in the Norwegian North Sea following results from an appraisal well.
According to the Norwegian Offshore Directorate, the discoveries are now estimated to contain 1.3–2.4 million standard cubic metres of oil equivalent, corresponding to 8–15 million barrels. Before the appraisal campaign, the estimate stood at 0.6–1.9 million standard cubic metres, or 4–12 million barrels.
The 16/1-EA-4 H well was drilled from the Symra subsea template about 200 km west of Stavanger using the Deepsea Nordkapp drilling rig. It was the 11th exploration well in production licence 167.
Drilling confirmed hydrocarbons in sandstone of the Palaeocene Heimdal Formation. The well identified a 44 m oil column and a 14 m gas column, with the gas-oil contact recorded at 1,776 m below sea level.
A horizontal section covering 1,515 m of reservoir was drilled through the oil-bearing interval. Reservoir quality was assessed as moderate, while pressure measurements and fluid samples were collected as part of the appraisal work.
The well reached a vertical depth of 1,864 m below sea level and was terminated in the Heimdal Formation. Water depth at the location is 116 m.
The appraisal programme was carried out to better define the reservoir extent, reservoir properties and fluid contacts. The well has since been permanently plugged and abandoned.
The licence partners are now assessing the profitability of the discoveries and whether they could be developed through a tie-back to the nearby Symra field.
