Well Slot is a monthly feature from Energy Voice and Westwood Global looking at drilling activity and rig moves in the UK North Sea and Norway.
UK
As of 22 December, Westwood Global Energy reports that there is one appraisal well and one exploration well active on the UKCS, in the CNS at Leverett and Devil’s Hole Horst, respectively. Since the previous report, two exploration wells completed, with Earn as a gas discovery and K2 well completed as an oil discovery, with detailed results on both wells yet to be released. No wells have spudded.
West of Shetland and Northern North Sea
Nothing to report.
Central North Sea
The 27/5-1 Devil’s Hole Horst well, operated by North Sea Natural Resources (NSNR), was spudded on 17 October with the Valaris Norway jack-up. The well is located on the West Central Shelf and is primarily targeting the Permian Zechstein Group and Upper Jurassic Fulmar Formation. NSNR had quoted a CoS of 70% and P90-P50-P10 (mean) resources of 189 – 584 – 1,698 (810) mmboe for the Z1/Z2 Hauptdolomit Formation primary target. Industry intelligence has reported the well has been completed and was dry, but this has yet to be confirmed by the operator.
The 21/3d-9, Z, Y Leverett appraisal well, operated by NEO Energy, was spudded on 21 July with the Paul B Loyd Jr semi-sub. The well is appraising the 21/2-2 Ivy discovery, drilled in 1975, which encountered hydrocarbons in the Lower Cretaceous Britannia Sandstone Formation. In November 2022, Ithaca quoted 1C-2C-3C resources of 0 – 19.1 – 42 mmboe. The well has successfully appraised the discovery, with good flow rates achieved in the 21/3d-9Z sidetrack, and a second sidetrack is ongoing.
The Ithaca-operated 22/14c-10, Z, Y, X K2 well was completed on c. 15 December, after being spudded on 11 June with the Stena Spey semi-sub. The well was targeting the Paleocene Forties Member Sandstone. Ithaca has announced that hydrocarbons are present in the reservoir, with 45ft (14m) net thickness. The discovery will be assessed on the basis of only one reservoir penetration as three sidetracks failed to reach reservoir. Pre-drill 1U-2U-3U resources were quoted by Ithaca’s parent company Delek as 11.4 – 15.4 – 20.6 mmboe, with a CoS 81%. The well has been P&A oil and further results are yet to be announced.
Southern North Sea
The Dana-operated 42/27-4, Z Earn well was completed on 1 December, after being spudded on 13 July with the Valaris 121 jack-up. The well was targeting the Lower Permian, Rotliegend Group, Leman Sandstone Formation. The prospect had pre-drill P90-P50-P10 resources of 37 – 79 – 133 bcf, with a CoGS of c. 70%. It was reported that the well had encountered gas filled sandstones with reservoir quality within pre-drill expectations. The well has been P&A gas and further results are yet to be released.
Norway
As of 22 December, Westwood Global Energy reports that four active exploration wells on the NCS. Since the previous report, two exploration and two appraisal well programmes have been completed and three exploration wells spudded.
North Sea
The 25/7-12 S Hubert & Magellan well, operated by Vår Energi, was spudded on 11 December with the Deepsea Yantai semi-sub. An initial hole will target the Hubert prospect in the Eocene. A sidetrack will target the Magellan prospect in the Eocene. Pre-drill resources are 24 mmboe and 30 mmboe, respectively.
The Equinor-operated 30/4-4 Sara well was completed on 21 December, after being spudded on 6 December with the Transocean Spitsbergen semi-sub. The APA 2022 commitment well was targeting the Eocene. Pre-drill resources were 21 mmboe. Westwood currently hold the well as dry.
The 25/2-25 S Frigg Gamma Delta well, operated by Aker BP, was spudded on 29 November with the Scarabeo 8 semi-sub. The well will target the Ypsilon prospect in the Eocene, followed by two long horizontal sidetracks to collect data to optimise the location of potential production wells. Pre-drill resources are 9 – 22 mmboe.
The Equinor-operated 33/12-N-4 AH Solan/Ludvig well was spudded from the Gullfaks C platform, using the Askeladden jack-up, on 15 November. The well is targeting the Middle Jurassic and Lower Jurassic – Triassic. Pre-drill resources are c. 10 mmboe.
The Aker BP-operated 30/12-3 S, A Surtsey-Jolnir-Brandur well was spudded on 24 October with the Deepsea Stavanger semi-sub. An initial hole with two sidetracks, targeting the Middle Jurassic, will evaluate the Surtsey, Jolnir and Brandur prospects. Pre-drill resources are 2 – 16 mmboe.
The 25/11-H-1 H Svalin M Sør well, operated by Equinor, was completed on 9 December, after being spudded on 18 October with the Deepsea Aberdeen semi-sub. The well was targeting the Eocene. The NPD report the well as containing oil, so is assumed to be a success. Westwood hold 5 mmboe resources, in line with pre-drill estimates.
The 35/6-4 S, A Ofelia appraisal well, operated by Neptune Energy, was completed on 8 December, after being spudded on 2 October with the Deepsea Yantai semi-sub. The initial well encountered oil in the Lower Cretaceous Ofelia discovery and an exploration sidetrack encountered gas in a shallower Lower Cretaceous target. Revised resources for Ofelia are 16 – 33 mmboe, plus 11 – 19 mmboe for the gas discovery, totalling 27 – 52 mmboe.
Norwegian Sea
The Wintershall Dea-operated 6406/3-12 S Bergknapp appraisal well was completed on 18 December, after being spudded on 1 October with the Transocean Norge semi-sub. The well appraised the Bergknapp discovery which tested oil in Lower Jurassic – Triassic. The JV reported post-drill resources of 50 – 100 mmboe
UK
As of 27 November, Westwood Global Energy reports that there is one appraisal well and two exploration wells active on the UKCS, in the CNS at Leverett and Devil’s Hole Horst, and SNS at Earn. The CNS K2 exploration well is currently suspended. Since the previous report no wells have spudded or completed.
West of Shetland and Northern North Sea
Nothing to report.
Central North Sea
The 27/5-1 Devil’s Hole Horst well, operated by North Sea Natural Resources (NSNR), was spudded on 17 October with the Valaris Norway jack-up. The well is located on the West Central Shelf and is primarily targeting the Permian Zechstein Group, Z1/Z2 Hauptdolomit Formation. Secondary targets include the Zechstein Group, Z3/Z4 Plattendolomit and the Upper Jurassic Fulmar Formation. NSNR has quoted a CoS of 70% and P90-P50-P10 (mean) resources of 189 – 584 – 1,698 (810) mmboe for the Z1/Z2 Hauptdolomit Formation target. In the case of success, a standalone development would be likely as the nearest fields are >50 km away.
The 21/3d-9, Z Leverett appraisal well, operated by NEO Energy, was spudded on 21 July with the Paul B Loyd Jr semi-sub. Having encountered hydrocarbons, the 21/3d-9Z sidetrack was kicked off on 4 September. The well is appraising the 21/2-2 Ivy discovery, drilled in 1975, which encountered hydrocarbons in the Lower Cretaceous Britannia Sandstone Formation. In November 2022, Ithaca quoted 1C-2C-3C resources of 0 – 19.1 – 42 mmboe. Several sidetracks are planned.
The Ithaca-operated 22/14c-10, Z, Y, X K2 well was temporarily suspended on c. 30 October, after being spudded on 11 June with the Stena Spey semi-sub. The rig is in port to perform checks and potential repairs following damage sustained during Storm Babet. The well is targeting the Paleocene in a four-way dip closed structure. On 27 July, Ithaca announced that hydrocarbons were present in the target reservoir, with 45ft (14m) net thickness. On 28 July, the 22/14c-10Z sidetrack was kicked off. Following mechanical issues, the 22/14c-10 Y sidetrack was kicked off on 12 August and well stability issues led to the 22/14c-10 X sidetrack being kicked off on 21 September. Pre-drill resources are quoted by Ithaca’s parent company Delek as 1U-2U-3U 11.4 – 15.4 – 20.6 mmboe with a CoS 81%.
Southern North Sea
The Dana-operated 42/27-4, Z Earn well was spudded on 13 July with the Valaris 121 jack-up. The well was sidetracked as 42/27-4Z on 2 October. The well is targeting the Lower Permian Leman Sandstone Formation. The prospect has pre-drill P90-P50-P10 resources of 37 – 79 – 133 bcf, with a CoGS of c. 70%. It was reported that the well had encountered gas filled sandstones with reservoir quality within pre-drill expectations.
Norway
As of 27 November, Westwood Global Energy reports that there are two exploration and two appraisal wells active on the NCS. Since the previous report, one exploration well programme completed, with Dougal (Gina Krog) as a gas discovery. No wells have spudded.
North Sea
The Aker BP-operated 30/12-3 S Surtsey-Jolnir-Brandur well was spudded on 24 October with the Deepsea Stavanger semi-sub. The planned 30/12-3 A sidetrack was kicked off on 11 November. The well is targeting the Middle Jurassic in three separate structures. Pre-drill resources are 2 – 16 mmboe. In the success case, the well is close to the Yggdrasil development.
The 25/11-H-1 H Svalin M Sør well, operated by Equinor, was spudded on 18 October with the Deepsea Aberdeen semi-sub. The well is targeting the Eocene and will be followed by a development sidetrack, 25/11-H-1 AH. Pre-drill resources are 5 mmboe.
The 35/6-4 S Ofelia appraisal well, operated by Neptune Energy, was spudded on 2 October with the Deepsea Yantai semi-sub. The well will appraise the 2022 35/6-3 S Ofelia discovery, which encountered a 73m (240ft) oil column in the Lower Cretaceous. The 35/6-4 A sidetrack was kicked off on 20 November, targeting gas in the shallower Lower Cretaceous Kyrre Formation. Likely development is tie back to Duva.
The 15/6-B-20 Dougal/Gina Krog well, operated by Equinor, was completed on 31 October, after being spudded on 23 September with the Noble Lloyd Noble jack-up. The NPD classify it as a production well, but the JV tested an exploration target in the Middle Jurassic. The well is a commercial discovery at 5 – 16 mmboe and has been shut in, with the intention to put it on production prior to end 2023.
Norwegian Sea
The Wintershall Dea-operated 6406/3-12 S Bergknapp appraisal well was spudded on 1 October with the Transocean Norge semi-sub. The well will appraise the 6406/3-10, A Bergknapp discovery in Lower Jurassic – Triassic sandstones. Appraisal drilling was attempted with the 6406/3-11 S well in the summer but failed due to operational issues. The NPD holds discovered resources of 51.8 mmboe for the Tilje Formation and 36.6 mmboe for the Åre Formation.
UK
As of 27 October, Westwood Global Energy reports that there is one appraisal well and three exploration wells active on the UKCS, in the CNS at K2, Leverett and Devil’s Hole Horst, and SNS at Earn. Since the previous report no wells have completed, and the Devil’s Hole Horst well has spudded.
West of Shetland and Northern North Sea
Nothing to report.
Central North Sea
The 27/5-1 Devil’s Hole Horst well, operated by North Sea Natural Resources (NSNR), was spudded on 17 October with the Valaris Norway jack-up. The well is located on the West Central Shelf and is primarily targeting the Permian Zechstein Group, Z1/Z2 Hauptdolomit Formation. Secondary targets include the Zechstein Group, Z3/Z4 Plattendolomit and the Upper Jurassic Fulmar Formation. NSNR has quoted a CoS of 70% and P90-P50-P10 (mean) resources of 189 – 584 – 1,698 (810) mmboe for the Z1/Z2 Hauptdolomit Formation target. In the case of success, a standalone development would likely as the nearest fields are >50 km away.
The 21/3d-9, Z Leverett appraisal well, operated by NEO Energy, was spudded on 21 July with the Paul B Loyd Jr semi-sub. The well was sidetracked, 21/3d-9Z, on 4 September. The well is appraising the eastern part of the 21/2-2 Ivy discovery, drilled in 1975, which encountered hydrocarbons in the Lower Cretaceous Britannia Sandstone Formation turbidites. In November 2022, Ithaca quoted 1C-2C-3C resources of 0 – 19.1 – 42 mmboe. The key risk of the well is reservoir depth uncertainty. Several sidetracks are planned.
The Ithaca-operated 22/14c-10, Z, Y, X K2 exploration well was spudded on 11 June with the Stena Spey semi-sub. The well is targeting the Paleocene in a four-way dip closed structure. On 27 July, Ithaca announced that hydrocarbons were present in the target reservoir, with 45ft (14m) net thickness. On 28 July, the 22/14c-10Z sidetrack was kicked off. Following mechanical issues, the 22/14c-10 Y sidetrack was kicked off on 12 August. Following well stability issues, the 22/14c-10 X sidetrack was kicked off on 21 September. Pre-drill resources are quoted by Ithaca’s parent company Delek as 1U-2U-3U 11.4 – 15.4 – 20.6 mmboe with a CoS 81%. The key risk is depletion from the Everest field.
Southern North Sea
The Dana-operated 42/27-4, Z Earn well was spudded on 13 July with the Valaris 121 jack-up. The well was sidetracked, 42/27-4Z, on 2 October. The well is targeting the Lower Permian Leman Sandstone Formation in a three-way dip, fault-controlled structure. The prospect has pre-drill P90-P50-P10 resources of 37 – 79 – 133 bcf, with a CoGS of c. 70%. Key risks are trap effectiveness due to fault seal requirements, reservoir and source effectiveness. It was reported that the well had encountered gas filled sandstones with reservoir quality within pre-drill expectations.
Norway
As of 27 October, Westwood Global Energy reports that there is one appraisal well and two exploration wells active on the NCS. Since the previous report, four exploration well programmes completed, with Norma a condensate discovery, Velocette a minor gas discovery, and Krafla Midt Statfjord and JDE dry holes. Two appraisal wells, at Bergknapp and Ofelia, and three exploration wells, at Dougal/Gina Krog, JDE and Surtsey-Jolnir-Brandur, have spudded.
North Sea
The Aker-BP-operated 30/12-3 S Surtsey-Jolnir-Brandur well was spudded on 24 October with the Deepsea Stavanger semi-sub. The well is targeting the Middle Jurassic. In the success case, the well is close to the Yggdrasil development.
The 35/6-4 S Ofelia appraisal well, operated by Neptune Energy, was spudded on 2 October with the Deepsea Yantai semi-sub. The well will appraise the 2022 35/6-3 S Ofelia discovery, which encountered a 73m (240ft) oil column in the Lower Cretaceous. A planned sidetrack will target gas in shallower Lower Cretaceous. Likely development is tie back to Duva.
The 15/6-B-20 Dougal/Gina Krog well, operated by Equinor, was spudded on 1 October with the Noble Lloyd Noble jack-up. The NPD classify it as a production well but the JV have an exploration target in the Middle Jurassic.
The 25/7-11 S Norma HPHT well, operated by DNO, was completed on 26 September, after being spudded on 18 July with the Deepsea Yantai semi-sub. The well encountered a 16m (52ft) gas condensate column in Upper Jurassic reservoir. The operator reported P90-mean-P10 resources of 25 – 70 – 130 mmboe and consider it a play opener. The discovery could be a standalone development or a tie back.
The Aker BP-operated 30/11-15 Krafla Midt Statfjord well was completed on 23 September, after being spudded on 4 June with the Deepsea Stavanger semi-sub. The Lower Jurassic – Triassic exploration target contained poor quality, water bearing reservoir.
Norwegian Sea
The Equinor-operated 6307/1-2 JDE high impact well was completed on 16 October, after being spudded on 27 September with the Deepsea Stavanger semi-sub. The well encountered the Triassic target, with poor to no reservoir quality, and has been P&A dry.
The OMV-operated 6607/3-1 S Velocette high impact well completed on 28 September, after being spudded on 7 July with the Transocean Norge semi-sub. The well encountered a 9m (30ft) gas column in the Upper Cretaceous but is not considered commercial.
The Wintershall Dea-operated 6406/3-12 S Bergknapp appraisal well was spudded on 1 October with the Transocean Norge semi-sub. The well will appraise the 6406/3-10, A Bergknapp discovery in Lower Jurassic – Triassic sandstones. The attempt to appraise with the 6406/3-11 S in the summer failed due to operational issues. The NPD holds discovered resources of 51.8 mmboe for the Tilje Formation and 36.6 mmboe for the Åre Formation.
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