Statoil, in partnership with Eni and Petoro, has made an oil discovery in the Kayak structure in the Barents Sea.
The semisubmersible Songa Enabler drilled well 7219/9-2 in 336 m (1,102 ft) of water on production license 532, 23 km southwest of the Johan Castberg discovery well and 225 km northwest of Hammerfest, northern Norway.
Statoil estimates resources from Kayak in the range of 25-50 MMboe recoverable, and with potential for a tie-in to the Johan Castberg development.
Jez Averty, senior vice president for exploration, Norway and the UK, added that this was a play type that had not previously been explored, opening the way for further opportunities.
According to the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, the well encountered oil in the upper part of the Early Cretaceous Kolje formation.
“There may be additional resources in this structure,” Averty added, “and we will now analyze the acquired data and consider possible appraisal of the discovery.”
The Songa Enabler will next mobilize to complete the Blåmann well, followed by drilling of the Gemini North prospect. As all required permits are in place, drilling could start next Monday. Gemini North is located North of OMV-operated Wisting field, so far the most northern discovery in the Barents Sea (see attachment).
