Norwegian operator Statoil has finalised a 19-month drilling program offshore Newfoundland.
The company said the purpose of the drilling program had been to increase the robustness of the Bay du Nord project and to test new areas of the Flemish Pass Basin.
A total on nine wells were drilled by the Seadrill West Hercules in the Flemish Pass Basin, 500km east of St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Erling Vågnes, senior vice president, Statoil Exploration, Northern Hemisphere said:“We are encouraged by the discoveries in the Bay de Verde and Baccalieu wells and the results of the appraisal wells.
“Based on the improved understanding of the Flemish Pass Basin petroleum system, we are maturing further prospects that may add volumes to Bay du Nord.
“The Flemish Pass Basin offshore Newfoundland is a frontier area, where only 17 wells have been drilled in the entire basin – in an area that is 30,000 km2.
“This drilling campaign has been critical both to maturing the Bay du Nord discovery as well as evolving our knowledge of the greater basin and Newfoundland offshore – which remains a core exploration area for Statoil.”
The drilling program included four exploration wells in close vicinity of the 2013 Bay du Nord discovery, as well as three appraisal wells on the discovery.
In addition, two exploration wells were drilled in areas outside the Bay du Nord discovery. The program was conducted in a harsh offshore environment; however, with strong operational and HSE performance, setting several records on drilling speed during the campaign.
Statoil said the drilling program has resulted in two discoveries of oil at the Bay de Verde and Baccalieu prospects in the Bay du Nord area, both of which add to the resource base for a potential development at the Bay du Nord discovery.
The appraisal and near-field exploration of the Bay du Nord discovery has reduced key reservoir uncertainties and confirmed that the volumes are within the original volume range of the 300 to 600 million barrels of recoverable oil initially estimated by Statoil in 2013, but potentially towards the lower end of the range.