Statoil makes oil discovery near Norne field in Norwegian Sea

Statoil has made an oil discovery in the Svale North prospect in the Norwegian Sea about 9 km northeast of Norne field.

Exploration well 6608/10-15 encountered a 45-m oil column in the Are formation, the primary target. The secondary target, the Melke formation, also had a 45-m oil column. Recoverable oil estimates ranged 6-19 million bbl.

Tie-in of the discovery to the Norne field will be considered.

The Songa Trym rig drilled the well to a vertical depth of 2,005 m in 375 m of water in production license 128. The rig will proceed to production license 348 to drill wildcat well 6407/8-6, with Statoil as operator.