OMV drills appraisal in Hades discovery

OMV Norway AS concluding drilling of appraisal well 6506/11-12 S in the Hades gas-condensate discovery, said the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (OGJ Online, Apr. 6, 2018). This is the second exploration well in production license 644 after 6506/11-10, about 5 km west of Morvin field in the Norwegian Sea and 240 km northwest of Kristiansund, in 433 m of water.

The well was drilled by the semisubmersible Island Innovator to 4150 m measured depth and 4062 m vertical depth below sea level and terminated in the Lange formation in the Lower Cretaceous (OGJ Online, May 13, 2020). The objective was to delimit the gas-condensate discovery in the formation toward the southwest, reduce uncertainty associated with the resource estimate, and conduct a formation test.

The well encountered an interpreted gas column of about 8 m, with sandstone layers totaling about 83 m with poor-to-moderate reservoir properties. Gas-water contact was not directly encountered. The formation as not tested, but extensive data acquisition was carried out. The well will now be permanently plugged.

Preliminary resource estimates for Hades before 6506/11-12 S was drilled was 3-23 million standard cu m recoverable oil equivalent. After well appraisal, the estimate has been revised down to 2-7 million standard cu m recoverable oil equivalent.

Partners in PL 644/644 B will assess updated resources in Hades along with resources in Iris, the Middle Jurassic Garn formation in the same discovery, for further follow-up.

OMV is operator of PL 644/644B (30%) with partners DNO Norge AS (20%), Equinor Energy AS (40%), and Spirit Energy Norway AS (10%).

The Island Innovator will now proceed to Hanøytangen shipyard.