Statoil makes gas-condensate discovery with Smorbukk North well

Statoil and partners in production license 479 made a gas-condensate discovery in the Smorbukk North prospect at Haltenbanken in the Norwegian Sea.

Exploration well 6506/9-3, drilled by the Transocean Leader drilling rig, has proven a 40-m gas-condensate column in a down-to situation in the Garn formation of mid-Jurassic age, Statoil said.

In addition, a thin gas-condensate column was proven deeper in the mid-Jurassic Ile formation. The reservoir properties of the Garn formation are good, while somewhat poorer than expected in the Ile formation, the company said.

Statoil pegs the discovery’s preliminary reserves volume at 25-47 million boe recoverable.

Smorbukk North, says Statoil, is a typical example of timely near-field exploration, which is an important element in the firm’s sharpened exploration strategy for the NCS.

“Being located directly north of the Asgard field, the Smorbukk North discovery could be developed quickly and efficiently through a tie-in to existing infrastructure, providing fast resources and potentially extending the production life of the Asgard production facilities,” said Astrid Jorgenvag, vice-president, operations, for Asgard.

Statoil holds 40.95% interest in the project. Partners are Eni Norge AS 19.6%, Petoro AS 14.95%, ExxonMobil Exploration & Production Norway AS 14.7%, and Total E&P Norge AS 9.8%.