Lundin Petroleum has started exploration work north of the giant Johan Sverdrup prospect – while confirming it has made an oil find to the south of the field.
The company said it had spudded the exploration well, seven kilometers north-west of an established reservoir at Geitungen, as it looks to establish if oil exists north of the field.
The new well, at Torvastad, is being drilled by the Island Innovator semi-submersible rig, and is expected to take around 55 days.
“The well is also expected to provide information of any hydrocarbon-system in this area and possible communication with the Johan Sverdrup discovery,” Lundin said.
Meanwhile the company said it has says struck oil at its latest appraisal well on the south western edge of the field.
The company’s well found a six metre column of oil, with no oil water contact.
The Bredford Dolphin carried out the drilling, which took place around three kilometres south east of previous appraisal work.
The well proved to be somewhat thinner than previously anticipated, with the top 6m deeper and the bottom 8.5m shallower than expected.
Pressure on the site will be measured for the next two to five years, with the well now permanently abandoned.
“The major uncertainties associated with this appraisal well were the time-depth conversion to the top of the reservoir and the presence of reservoir,” said Lundin chief executive Ashley Heppenstall.
“In this respect we are pleased to have proved the extension of the reservoir at this location with excellent sand quality.”
The Bredford Dolphin will now move onto the south-eastern flank of the Johan Sverdrup field, which is thought to contain as many as 3billion barrels of oil, to continue appraisal work.
Recommended for you
