Lundin appraisal well derisks new play concept off Norway

Lundin Petroleum plans an extended well test and further exploration drilling following positive results on Rolvsnes that derisk the similar on-trend prospectivity on an adjacent license.

Lundin Norway AS completed appraisal well 16/1-28S on the discovery in production license 338C on the Utsira High in the Norwegian North Sea. The well, drilled by the COSL Innovator semisubmersible drilling rig 3 km from the Lundin Norway-operated Edvard Grieg platform, is the third well on the Rolvsnes oil discovery. Rolvsnes is considered a potential tie-back development to Edvard Grieg field.

The main objective was to confirm commercial rates from a horizontal well drilled in fractured and weathered basement reservoirs, similar to those currently producing in the northern area of the Edvard Grieg.

The well was drilled horizontally in the reservoir interval and encountered 2,500 m of fractured and weathered basement.

Extensive data acquisition and sampling have been carried out in the reservoir, including a 10-day production test with production logging and bottom hole fluid sampling. A maximum constrained production rate of 7,000 b/d of oil was achieved. The 5-day main flow period was held at 4,200 b/d of oil.

Test results show good reservoir productivity and connection to an oil volume that benefits from aquifer pressure support, which are positive factors towards demonstrating commercial recovery at Rolvsnes, the company said.

An extended well test is required to better understand the reservoir’s long-term productivity, the company said.

Results derisk the similar on-trend prospectivity on the adjacent PL815 license, Lundin said. An exploration well on the Goddo prospect is planned for 2019.

With the results, the gross resource range for Rolvsnes has been increased to 14-78 million boe from 3-16 million boe.

Lundin Norway is operator of PL338C with 50% working interest. Lime Petroleum holds 30% and OMV holds 20%.

Lundin Norway is operator of PL815 with 40% working interest. Petoro, Lime Petroleum, and Concedo hold 20% each.

“It is not often that a company is able to derisk a new play concept in a jurisdiction like Norway,” said Alex Schneiter, Lundin Petroleum president and chief executive officer.

“The key element was to prove commercial production rates and significant connected oil volumes, and I am pleased to note that we have exceeded our expectations on both,” Schneiter said.