Det norske oljeselskap ASA, operator of PL 482, is in the process of completing exploration well 6508/1-2 on Skaugumsåsen. The well is located about 10 kilometers south of the Norne field in the Norwegian Sea.
The well encountered an 18 meter gas column and a 23 meter oil column.
Preliminary estimates of the discovery indicate recoverable volumes of 1 million Sm3 oil equivalents. Further studies are necessary in order to determine if the discovery is economically viable.
This is the first exploration well in license 48, which was part of the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2007.
Well 6508/1-2 was drilled by the semi-submersible Aker Barents rig (picture).
Partners in PL 482 include: Det norske (65 percent and operator), Petoro 20 percent and Skagen44 AS 15 percent.
Source: Det norske
Statoil has signed a contract with North Atlantic Norway to hire the West Hercules rig which can be used for exploration and production drilling internationally and on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS).
Statoil has signed an agreement with North Atlantic Norway Ltd (Norwegian Branch), a company in the Seadrill group, for hire of the West Hercules rig for use on exploration prospects and production licences. The semi-submersible rig will be deployed to start drilling from Q3 2012.
“With its many capabilities, West Hercules will contribute to maintaining a sustainable activity level of exploration, and also to execute on our company’s ambitious exploration strategy in the years to come,” says Tim Dodson, Statoil’s executive vice president for Exploration.
“Inclusion of this rig in our portfolio provides the necessary flexibility we are looking for and it supports our earlier communicated strategy of revitalising the NCS with high value barrels and deliver on our exploration programme globally. Acquiring this rig is an important contribution to securing Statoil’s rig capacity.”
The daily rate for the rig is USD 490.000. A mobilisation fee of USD 50 million is also payable. The contract is for a fixed four-year period. Statoil has secured a one-year option on the same conditions.
”Statoil’s focus continues to be on bringing more modern and flexible rigs to our portfolio,” says Jon Arnt Jacobsen, Statoil’s chief procurement officer.
“West Hercules is the first-available suitable rig which is already in operation. This, together with its advanced capabilities such as deep waters, high pressure/high temperature and completion, has prompted Statoil to act on this opportunity. This modern rig will be complementary to our portfolio and bring us more flexibility. It will be utilised on targeted wells internationally and on the NCS.” West Hercules is a sixth generation, high specification, deep water, semi-submersible drilling unit, built in 2008. It has a high load carrying capacity and an efficient drilling floor layout with improved safety and working environment measures.
West Hercules can run parallel drilling operations and is designed with a dynamic positioning system and a water depth capacity up to 3,000 metres. West Hercules is expected to complete a three-year contract for Husky Oil China Ltd for operations off China in May 2012.
The concept chosen for the Mariner heavy oil project on the UK continental shelf includes a production, drilling and quarter (PDQ) platform based on a steel jacket, with a floating storage unit (FSU).
Mariner field illustration
Statoil expects a final investment decision in late 2012 and first oil in late 2016.
The Bressay heavy oil project on the UK continental shelf is also progressing according to plan, one year behind Mariner, to ensure transfer of learning and synergies.
The Mariner and Bressay projects were presented at a press briefing by Statoil’s executive vice president for Development and Production International, Peter Mellbye, at SPE Offshore Europe 2011 in Aberdeen.
“After a period of uncertainty, I am proud to be able to say that we are back on track with the landmark Mariner and Bressay developments. To be able to once again move these projects forward is important for Statoil and its partners, as well as for the UK and for the Aberdeen region,” says Mellbye.
The ultra-heavy oil projects will require pioneering technology in order to be developed. Since its discovery thirty years ago, the Mariner field has been subject to a number of development studies by different operators.
Statoil is the first company ready to put forward a development concept that will fully address the complexities of this field, in particular related to reservoir management, recovery rates and project execution.
Statoil has extensive heavy oil experience, including the successful development of the Grane field in Norway and the Peregrino field in Brazil.
Because of the low well flow rates and early water break-through there is a need for many wells, artificial lift, and a process designed to handle large liquid rates and oil-water emulsions.
A total of 145 reservoir targets for production or injection are planned for Mariner. While the number of well slots at the platforms is less, this will be solved through use of multi-branch technology, sidetracks and reuse of slots.
The Mariner and Bressay projects will entail a gross investment of roughly GBP 6 billion. Statoil estimates lasting employment of at least 700 individuals, mainly locals, directly involved in its operations, and the establishment of a new operations centre in Aberdeen. The indirect employment of numerous others in the supply and service sectors comes in addition to this.
Source: Statoil
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