Equinor and its partners have achieved a significant success in evaluating a gas discovery in the North Sea, increasing the recoverable gas and condensate volume to 180 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe). This success follows the drilling of appraisal well 35/7-2, located 35 kilometers northeast of the Kvitebjørn field.
Details of Well 35/7-2 Drilling
Well 35/7-2 was drilled to determine the boundaries of the Afrodite discovery, which was identified in 2008. This well is the second well drilled in production license 293, which was granted in 2003 and is operated by Wellesley Petroleum.
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The main objective of drilling this well was to determine the boundaries of the Afrodite discovery, which led to the discovery of a gas/condensate column 69 meters long in the Tarbert Formation and the upper part of the Ness Formation. While some reservoir rocks have low quality, this well also identified a 4-meter gas/condensate column in the lower part of the Ness Formation.
Development Potential and Implications
Equinor has estimated that the recoverable gas volumes may be more than double previous estimates, with total volumes in the reservoir being about three times larger. However, reservoir characteristics indicate that only parts of the resources are recoverable.
Equinor's managers have pointed to the potential for development through existing infrastructure in the area, including the possibility of connecting to the Kvitebjørn platform, as a key option. This connection could transport gas through existing infrastructure to the Kolsnes processing plant in Øygarden and then to the European market.
Equinor is also actively seeking new discoveries in other areas of the North Sea and believes that there is still significant potential for discoveries. The results of the Afrodite appraisal well demonstrate the existing potential in mature areas, and new discoveries in new exploration areas will be vital for maintaining production from North Sea platforms and supplying energy to Europe.
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