Equinor has announced the biggest discovery so far this year on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS).
The energy giant said Blasto could yield 75-120 million barrels of oil equivalent.
Seadrill’s West Hercules rig was used to drill two wells on Blasto, located about 120 kilometres north-west of Bergen.
Nick Ashton, Equinor’s senior vice president for exploration in Norway, said: “The discovery revitalises one of the most mature areas on the NCS.
“With discoveries in four of four prospects in the Fram area during the past 18 months, we have proven volumes that in total will create considerable value for society.”
Equinor’s Blasto licence partners Var Energi, Idemitsu Petroleum and Neptune Energy.
Odin Estensen, Neptune’s managing director in Norway, said: “These are important resources which can be brought into production quickly.
“It’s also a strategically important discovery for Neptune and underlines our commitment to continue growing our business in the Norwegian sector.
“In the last 15 months, we have participated in five exploration wells, and four of these have resulted in discoveries.”