WesternGeco Kicks Off 3D Seismic Survey in Barents Sea

- WesternGeco Kicks Off 3D Seismic Survey in Barents Sea

Thursday, August 18, 2011
Schlumberger Ltd.

WesternGeco has begun acquisition of the Bjørnøya Phase I "Ice Bear" 3D multiclient survey in the highly prospective West Loppa area of the Barents Sea.

Following previous surveys in the area, the Ice Bear survey will extend the existing WesternGeco West Loppa datasets to the North and West.

"The study area is located on the rim of the Bjørnøya Basin, on the west flank of the Loppa High and includes a large downthrown terrace in the North together with other Jurassic faulted structures, all of which have potential," said Phil Davey, WesternGeco Europe & Africa GeoSolutions manager, "Other, separate, but still promising features are seen in the southwestern part of the survey area."

Building on previous 2D datasets, the Ice Bear survey will consist of approximately 2500 sq km of 3D seismic data, acquired using 10 X 7 km streamers. Advanced acquisition techniques coupled with demultiple processing using the WesternGeco 3D GSMP General Surface Multiple Prediction technology will provide high-quality 3D data.

Acquisition commenced on July 10, 2011, and the fast-track data will be available in November 2011 in time for nominations for the 22nd Norwegian Licensing Round. The final processed data will be available for licensing in March 2012 in advance of the applications for the 22nd Norwegian Offshore Licensing Round. Companies are invited to contact WesternGeco to discuss their interest in this program.

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Total Makes Major Gas Find in Barents Sea

- Total Makes Major Gas Find in Barents Sea

Monday, August 08, 2011
Norwegian Petroleum Directorate

Total EP Norge AS, operator of production license 535, has completed the drilling of wildcat well 7225/3-1. The well, which proved gas, was drilled in the Barents Sea, about 250 kilometers north of Melkoya.

The primary exploration target for the well was to prove petroleum in Triassic reservoir rocks (Snadd and Kobbe formations). The secondary exploration target was to prove petroleum in the Middle Jurassic (Sto formation), Triassic (Havert formation) and Permian (Bjarmeland formation).

Gas was proven both in intervals from the Jurassic and the Triassic: in the Kobbe formation with a 400-meter interval in rocks of varying reservoir quality, and in the Havert formation in two intervals of 80 and 90 meters, respectively, in poorly developed reservoir rocks. Gas was also encountered in the Sto and Snadd formations.

Preliminary estimates place the size of the discovery between 10 and 50 billion standard cubic meters (Sm3) of recoverable gas.

A successful formation test has been carried out in the upper part of the Kobbe formation. The maximum production rate was 180 000 Sm3 gas per flow day through a 44/64-inch nozzle. The gas contains only small amounts of CO2, H2S and N2. The results from the well will be included in the ongoing evaluation of "Norvarg" to establish the size and extent of the gas discoveries.

The well was drilled in 376 meters of water and is the first exploration well in production license 535. The license was awarded in the 20th licensing round in 2009.

The well was drilled to a vertical depth of 4150 meters below the sea surface, and was terminated in the Orn formation in Permian rocks. The well will now be permanently plugged and abandoned.

Well 7225/3-1 was drilled by West Phoenix, which will now go on to drill for Statoil Petroleum AS on the Troll field in the North Sea.

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Polarcus to Start Multi-Client Survey in Barents Sea

- Polarcus to Start Multi-Client Survey in Barents Sea

Monday, August 01, 2011
Polarcus Ltd.

Polarcus will commence acquisition imminently of a 3D multi-client project over the Bjarmeland Platform in the Barents Sea, offshore Norway. The project, with the potential to cover an area of up to 1,100 square kilometers, is supported through strong industry pre-funding. The survey will be acquired by the vessel POLARCUS SAMUR and is expected to take up to 60 days depending on final program size. Data processing will be undertaken by GX Technology, the imaging solutions group of ION Geophysical. A preliminary dataset will be available within one month after completion of acquisition, with delivery of the final migrated data volume expected to take place within February 2012.

The Bjarmeland Platform 3D multi-client survey, designed in conjunction with GeoPartners and MoVa, targets an area of the Barents Sea currently witnessing a resurgence of exploration interest. The survey is located in the south eastern part of the platform where two small oil and gas discoveries located in blocks 7124 and 7125 on the Nyslepp Fault Complex were drilled in the late eighties by Saga Petroleum. These wells proved the presence of hydrocarbon bearing sandstones with good reservoir properties in the Late Triassic/Early Jurassic formation of the Kapp Toscana Group.

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TGS Extends Seismic Acquisition in Barents Sea

- TGS Extends Seismic Acquisition in Barents Sea

Tuesday, July 26, 2011
TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Co. ASA

TGS has commenced the acquisition of an extension of its multi-client 3D seismic data in the Hoop Fault Complex area of the Barents Sea. This extension is to the west of the previously announced industry funded Hoop Fault Complex survey and will add 3,391 km2 to the existing data in the area. Upon completion of the expanded project, TGS will have over 7,300 km2 of contiguous multi-client 3D data over the Hoop Fault Complex. In conjunction with this multi-client survey, TGS will also acquire approximately 1,100 km2 of seismic data on a proprietary basis for a TGS customer.

Acquisition of the data will be performed by the M/V Polar Duke towing 10 x 6,000 m streamers with 75 m cable separation and acquisition is scheduled to complete during early 4Q 2011. Data processing will be performed by TGS and will be available to clients from 2Q 2012.

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NPD Kicks Off Seismic Survey in Barents Sea

- NPD Kicks Off Seismic Survey in Barents Sea

Friday, July 08, 2011
Norwegian Petroleum Directorate

Just after midnight on July 8, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) started acquisition of seismic data in Norway's new maritime zone in the Barents Sea.

PGS will be conducting the acquisition on behalf of the NPD using the vessel R.V. Harrier Explorer.

This is the first time this area will be systematically mapped. The seismic acquisition activity will continue until the first half of September 2011, with a possible extension of a couple of weeks. The acquisition will be 2D seismic, which means that one long streamer – 8100 meters – is fastened to the vessel. The seismic lines have variable spacing – from 5 to 15 kilometers.

NPD geophysicist and project coordinator Lars Jensen tells us that the sea area to be mapped is quite large. He says that the NPD plans to complete acquisition of seismic data next summer so that the results will be ready in the spring of 2013.

The data acquisition will take place using PGS' GeoStreamer technology. This is a new technology for seismic acquisition, characterized in part by the fact that the streamer is towed somewhat deeper in the water than is the case in conventional seismic acquisition. This means that the cable can withstand higher waves, making the acquisition activity less weather-dependent and thus more efficient.

The Harrier Explorer is coming from Jan Mayen, where the vessel has been shooting seismic for the NPD for about 3.5 weeks. So far, Lars Jensen is pleased with the GeoStreamer technology, and says that the acquisition activity has gone very well and with no weather delays.

The acquisition will start with five SSE-NNW lines. The plan is then to acquire a few lines in the north-south direction in order to complete the southernmost part of the area first.

Daily reports will be issued from Vardø radio stating the position of the seismic vessel for the next 24 hours.

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Lundin Hits Gas Pay in Barents Sea

- Lundin Hits Gas Pay in Barents Sea

Friday, July 08, 2011
Lundin Petroleum AB

Lundin, operator of production license 438, has completed well 7120/2-3S on the Skalle prospect as a gas discovery. A comprehensive logging and coring program has been acquired.

The well is situated approximately 25 kilometers north of the Snohvit Field in the south western part of the Barents Sea. The primary target for the well was to prove hydrocarbons in reservoir rocks from both the Cretaceous and the Jurassic age. Gas was proven in three separate zones.

The initial gross contingent resource range for the Skalle discovery is estimated at between 88 to 280 billion cubic feet (bcf) (15 to 50 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe)). There is a potential for a deeper oil leg in the lower Cretaceous reservoir of Skalle and an upside potential in Skalle substructures.

The results of the well will be further analyzed to determine the appraisal program for the discovery.

Ashley Heppenstall, President and CEO of Lundin Petroleum commented, "The Skalle gas discovery is close to existing infrastructure with upside potential both in nearby substructures and other prospects on the license. We remain confident regarding the oil prospectivity of Lundin Petroleum's Barents Sea acreage."

The well 7120/2-3S is the first exploration well in PL438 and was drilled to a vertical depth of approximately 2,600 meters below sea level.

Well 7120/2-3S was drilled using the rig Transocean Leader, which now will move to PL265 in the Greater Luno Area in the Norwegian North Sea to drill the Aldous Major South exploration well 16/2-8. Statoil ASA is the operator of PL265 and Lundin Petroleum has a 10 percent interest.

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EMGS Scores Barents Sea Survey for Statoil

- EMGS Scores Barents Sea Survey for Statoil

Monday, June 27, 2011
Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA

Electromagnetic Geoservices (EMGS) has signed a contract with Statoil to acquire high-resolution, full-azimuth 3D electromagnetic (EM) data for continued research purposes in the Barents Sea.

The survey will be performed by the vessel Atlantic Guardian using densely sampled receiver grids, thereby providing high-resolution data.

Following the survey in the Barents Sea, which is expected to take approximately twelve days, the vessel will complete its campaign of back-to-back surveys with a work program in the North Sea before heading to the Americas towards the end of July.

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AGR Selected for Eni's Barents Sea Project

- AGR Selected for Eni's Barents Sea Project

Wednesday, June 22, 2011
AGR Group ASA

ENI has chosen technology from AGR Drilling Services for multi-well projects in the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea.

The Cutting Transportation System (CTSTM) from AGR will be used on 24 wells drilled by the Norwegian arm of Italian energy company Eni.

The system will mainly be deployed on the Goliat field, the first oil field to be developed in the Barents Sea. Goliat lies some 85km
(51miles) northwest of Hammerfest in the far north of Norway.

CTSTM (example pictured) enables operators to take cuttings up to 2km (1.24miles) away from the wellhead. This means that the well area is kept debris free, helping ensure the operation proceeds as smoothly as possible – particularly when it comes to procedures such as laying cables and tying in umbilicals.

The CTSTM also makes it possible for operators to deposit cuttings away from environmentally sensitive areas.

Johan Møller Warmedal, Executive Vice President of AGR Drilling Services, said, "We are delighted to be working with Eni Norge for the first time and to add such an important new client to our roster of Norwegian Continental Shelf customers. The Barents is an area where we envisage that operators will benefit not only from the capabilities of CTSTM but also our other technologies such as Riserless Mud Recovery."

The use of Riserless Mud Recovery (RMR®) and CTSTM will soon surpass the 500-well milestone. RMR® enables top-hole sections to be drilled more safely, more quickly yet with less environmental impact.

With Eni Norge, 22 wells will be drilled on Goliat with the new semi-sub rig Scarabeo 8. The remaining two wells will be on the Marulk field in the Norwegian Sea and drilled by the Scarabeo 5.

The contract is for four years, with a one-year optional extension.

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Total Makes Gas Discovery in Barents Sea

- Total Makes Gas Discovery in Barents Sea

Thursday, June 16, 2011
Det norske oljeselskap ASA

Det norske has as license partner made a gas discovery in the Norvarg prospect in the Barents Sea license 535, operated by Total E&P Norge AS.

Exploration well 7225/3-1 has not been completed. Preliminary well data indicate gas at three different levels, a significant part of it in the Kobbe formation.

It is too early to conclude on flow rate characteristics and potential commerciality; hence the partnership has decided to perform a production test to gather information about reservoir production properties.

The test is planned to be carried out after the well has been drilled to total depth at about 4100 meters. Drilling operations are expected to continue for several weeks. Due to the production test, it is expected that the well will take longer time to complete than previously anticipated.

License owners are:

• Total E&P Norge AS (operator 40%)
• Det norske oljeselskap ASA (20%)
• North Energy (20%)
• Rocksource (20%)

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Det norske, Partners Sign Agreement for Block in Barents Sea

- Det norske, Partners Sign Agreement for Block in Barents Sea

Friday, June 10, 2011
Det norske oljeselskap ASA

Det norske and partners DONG and Edison have signed agreements for production license 613 at the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.

Production license 613 was awarded in the 21st licensing round. The license is located in the northern part of Loppa High in the Barents Sea. The license covers blocks 7322/10 and 11.

The work program that the companies have now committed themselves to, includes acquisition of 3D seismic over the area. The decision to drill an exploration well must be taken within three years. Acquisition of seismic is planned to start already this year, and the first partner meeting will take place as early as next week.

Work with this license will be placed at Det norske's office in Harstad.

Licensees in PL 613:

• Dong E&P Norge (operator) 40 percent
• Det norske oljeselskap 35 percent
• Edison International Norway 25 percent

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Norway Sets Barents Sea Seismic Acquisition for July

- Norway Sets Barents Sea Seismic Acquisition for July

Thursday, June 09, 2011
Norwegian Petroleum Directorate

It has now been determined that there will be seismic acquisition in the eastern part of the Barents Sea from July 7. The necessary formalities surrounding the Treaty on Maritime Delimitation and Cooperation in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean between Norway and Russia are now in place. The activity can start 30 days following this.

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate will be responsible for the seismic acquisition on behalf of Norwegian authorities, and the PGS vessel Harrier Explorer will carry out the acquisition.

Harrier Explorer is now on its way to Jan Mayen to start seismic acquisition there. The vessel will acquire seismic in this area, starting June 10 and lasting three to four weeks, before setting course for the eastern part of the Barents Sea. The voyage from Jan Mayen to the eastern part of the Barents Sea will likely take four to five days.

An agreement has been entered into with PGS regarding hiring the vessel for three months with an option of an extension for approx. one month. This entails that the acquisition activity in the Barents Sea East will take place for two to three months.

The data acquisition will take place with the aid of PGS' Geostreamer technology. This is a new technology for 2D seismic acquisition, characterized in part by the fact that the streamer, which in this case is eight kilometers long, is towed somewhat deeper in the water than is the case in conventional seismic acquisition. This means that the streamer can withstand higher waves, thus making the acquisition activity less dependent on weather and consequently more efficient.

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Norway Preps for Oil Exploration in Barents Sea

- Norway Preps for Oil Exploration in Barents Sea

Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa)

Norway said it has begun preparations for oil and gas exploration in an uncharted section of the Barents Sea after solving a long-running demarcation row with Russia.

"We will start charting the previously disputed area as soon as the demarcation treaty comes into effect," Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said.

The foreign ministers of both countries on Tuesday exchanged documents on the new delimitation agreement, earlier approved by the parliaments of both countries. The treaty enters into force July 7.

Melting ice in the Arctic due to global warming has opened the region for exploration. The Barents Sea region is believed to host rich oil and gas reserves. There was also potential for new shipping routes.

Norway and Russia last year agreed on the demarcation of the area off northern Norway. The talks opened in 1970.

Stoltenberg said he envisaged closer cooperation with Russia, both between government agencies and businesses.

The Norwegian government has reserved 29 million dollars for seismic tests of the seabed in the Norwegian section of the Barents Sea.

The tests were necessary to assess the potential finds in the area, said Ole Borten Moe, minister of petroleum and energy.

Copyright 2011 dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH

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TGS Commences Seismic Survey in Barents Sea

- TGS Commences Seismic Survey in Barents Sea

Tuesday, May 24, 2011
TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Co. ASA

TGS commences the acquisition of multi-client 3D seismic data in the Hoop Fault Complex area of the Barents Sea. This survey is an extension of the previously announced Hoop Fault Complex survey and will add 1,800 km2 to the existing data in the area.

Approximately 500 km2 of the survey are infill in the Northern area of the 2009 survey and the remaining 1,300 km2 are an extension to the east of the 2009 survey area. TGS is very pleased with the historical client response to the coverage in this new exploration province. Blocks have been awarded in the survey area during the last two rounds and with the 2011 acquisition, TGS will be able to provide extended coverage for future rounds.

The M/V Polar Duke towing 10 x 6,000 m streamers with 75 m separation will acquire the 2011 survey. Data processing will be performed by TGS and will be available to clients in Q4 2011. The survey is supported by industry funding.

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Det norske Awarded License in Barents Sea

Det norske Awarded License in Barents Sea

Monday, April 18, 2011
Det norske oljeselskap ASA

Det norske has been awarded a new license in the Barents Sea in 21 licensing round. Production license 613 is located in blocks 7322/10 and -11 in the central part of the Barents Sea. The license was Det norske's first priority in this allocation round. In total the Government offers 12 new licenses in the Barents Sea

Dong E & P is the operator of the license with a 40 percent stake. Det norske and Edison International are partners with respectively 35 and 25 percent stake. The work program for the license acquisition of 3D seismic over the area. Within three years from granting, the license must decide to drill an exploration well or hand back the license. If drilling is decided, the well must be drilled within five year from the grant.

This year's round was announced on June 23. 94 blocks, 43 in the Norwegian Sea and 51 in the Barents Sea were offered, with a deadline in November 2010. Of these, the Government has decided to offer 24 licenses to 29 companies

Faroe Snaps Up Second License in Barents Sea

Faroe Snaps Up Second License in Barents Sea

Friday, April 15, 2011
Faroe Petroleum plc
by SubseaIQ

Faroe announced the 21st Norwegian License Round award of its second license in the Norwegian Barents Sea, as announced by the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.

The new license covers an area of approximately 2100 square kilometers and is located within blocks 7223/3, 6 and 7224/1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. This is the largest single license awarded within the Barents Sea in this round. The main Kvalross Prospect consists of a wedge of clinoforms contained within a large structural closure. This new license area is located to the east of the recent significant Statoil discovery, Skrugard, and immediately adjacent to Faroe Petroleum's Samson Dome license, which has now completed the acquisition and processing of an extensive 3D seismic survey.

The new license partners are Faroe Petroleum (40%), together with Wintershall (40% and operator) and Petoro (20%). The license work program involves the acquisition of 3D seismic data, with a decision to drill to be taken within three years.

Graham Stewart, Chief Executive of Faroe, commented, "Faroe was awarded its first license in the Barents Sea in the 20th Norwegian Licensing Round. Since then, our team has continued its efforts to identify new high quality exploration prospects in the Barents Sea, and we are therefore delighted to have been awarded our second prestigious license in the highly competitive 21st Licensing Round. Our team has considerable experience in the Barents Sea, which is becoming an increasingly important oil province, with the Goliat oil field development now underway, and recently, a new large oil discovery by Statoil on the Skrugard prospect. The Barents Sea is an area which complements our strategic position in the Atlantic margin area of West of Shetlands and the Faroe Islands and secures further highly prospective exploration acreage for the Company. Of the 17 wells in the Company's exciting, fully funded 2011 to 2013 drilling program, 13 are planned to be drilled in Norway, clearly demonstrating Faroe's continuing commitment to create further value in Norway."

Norway Makes Headway in Barents Sea Exploration

Norway Makes Headway in Barents Sea Exploration

Friday, April 15, 2011
Norwegian Petroleum Directorate

The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has awarded new production licenses in the 21st licensing round on the Norwegian shelf. 29 companies were offered participation in 24 new production licenses.

Twelve of the licenses are in the Norwegian Sea and twelve in the Barents Sea. Four of these are additional acreage associated with existing production licenses.

Exploration director Sissel Eriksen of the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) said this was the most comprehensive announcement ever in the Barents Sea, and that it also includes areas located further north than before.

"In this licensing round, we are moving further north/northwest than in existing production licenses. Therefore, this is an important step on the road towards exploring the Barents Sea," she said.

Eriksen emphasizes that the NPD is satisfied with the round, which was one of the most comprehensive ever. The interest from the companies has been significant, and it is clear that the players still believe in the Norwegian shelf.

The preparations for the round started on November 5, 2009, when the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy invited the oil companies to nominate blocks they believed should be part of the announcement. The round was announced on 23 June last year, with an application deadline of November 3.

Lundin Expands Presence in Barents Sea

Lundin Expands Presence in Barents Sea

Friday, April 15, 2011
Lundin Petroleum AB

Lundin has been awarded a new exploration license interest in the 21st Norwegian Licensing Round. The awarded license, PL609 is located in the Barents Sea.

Lundin Norway will be the operator of PL609 with 40 percent interest. The partnership comprises RWE Dea Norge AS and Idemitsu Petroleum Norge AS, each with 30 percent interest.

PL609 covers an area of 1,180 km2, and is located immediately east of license PL532 where Statoil recently made a significant oil discovery on the Skrugard prospect (7220/8-1).

Lundin Norway AS has a strong acreage position in the area with four operated licenses and one partner-operated license in addition to the new award. Lundin Norway will drill a well on the Skalle prospect, well 7120/3-2, scheduled to be spudded in the second quarter 2011.