Norways state owned Den norske stats oljeselskap AS and independent Saga Petroleum AS plan to squeeze extra oil from projects in the North Sea. Statoil asked the Norwegian government for a permit to develop two small discoveries in the Sleipner area in Block 15/9. They are the My discovery south of Sleipner fields and a Triassic reservoir in the East Sleipner development areas Loke satellite field. My holds estimated reserves of 2.1 billion cu m of gas plus some condensate, while the Loke Triassic reservoir has estimated reserves of 2.4 billion cu m of gas plus small volumes of oil and condensate. Statoil plans to develop My using one of the longest extended reach wells in the North Sea. To be drilled from the East Sleipner platform, it will have a measured depth of 8,500 m and a horizontal reach of 7,250 m. Lokes deeper reservoir will be developed by extending the existing production well from which oil is sent to East Sleipner platform through a subsea template. Statoil submitted development plans for My and the Loke Triassic reservoir to Oslos Ministry of Industry & Energy. The company expects approval soon. A second reservoir in Yme field, currently under development by Stat- oil, is expected to boost reserves in what is said to be Statoils smallest field development project in the North Sea. Yme fields West Gamma reservoir holds estimated reserves of 49 million bbl of oil. It is due on stream in October. The Maersk Giant jack up rig has been converted to produce Yme, with processed oil to be stored in the Polysaga tanker prior to transfer to shuttle tankers. Statoil intends shortly to submit a development plan for the East Beta reservoir in Yme field, which has estimated reserves of 11 million bbl of oil. The plan is to tie back two development wells to the Maersk Giant via a subsea template over East Beta, with first oil slated for May 1996. Statoil has identifed three more prospects in the Yme area, which it views as candidates for satellite development. Meantime, Saga boosted its estimate of reserves in the North Seas Snorre field by 25 million bbl of oil. That hikes total reserves estimates for the field to more than 1.1 billion bbl of oil, license partner Statoil said. The boost was said to be provided by a well in the southern end of the field, where Saga hopes to prove up still more oil. Copyright 1995 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
