StatoilHydro makes gas discovery in the Barents Sea
The well was tested in a prospect called Arenaria in block 7224/6. The primary goal was to prove hydrocarbons in sandstone of early Jurassic to late Triassic age. The secondary goal was to prove hydrocarbons in rocks of the middle Triassic age.
In the primary exploration target, rocks of good reservoir quality were found in accordance with the prognoses. No hydrocarbons were proven.
In the secondary drilling target, gas was proven in reservoir rocks of poor quality.
"The well was not formation tested and it is too early to tell if the gas can be produced," says Bente Fotland, exploration manager for licences in the far north.
This is the first well to be drilled in exploration licence 394 which was awarded in the 19th license round in 2006. The well was an obligation well. It was drilled to a vertical depth of 2315 metres below sea level and was completed in rocks of middle Triassic age. The well is now being permanently plugged and abandoned.
Drilling of exploration well 7224/6-1 was completed by the Polar Pioneer drilling unit at a water depth of 265 metres. Polar Pioneer will now start drilling exploration well 7222/11-1 in the StatoilHydro-operated exploration licence 228.
The licensees in exploration licence 394 are: StatoilHydro (65%), Gaz de France Norge AS (20%) and Petoro (15%).
Photo://StatoilHydro
