Det norske Hits Pay in Norwegian Sea

- Det norske Hits Pay in Norwegian Sea

Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Det norske oljeselskap ASA

Det norske oljeselskap ASA, operator of PL 482, is in the process of completing exploration well 6508/1-2 on Skaugumsåsen. The well is located about 10 kilometers south of the Norne field in the Norwegian Sea.

The well encountered an 18 meter gas column and a 23 meter oil column.

Preliminary estimates of the discovery indicate recoverable volumes of 1 million Sm3 oil equivalents. Further studies are necessary in order to determine if the discovery is economically viable.

This is the first exploration well in license 48, which was part of the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2007.

Well 6508/1-2 was drilled by the semisubmersible Aker Barents rig.

Partners in PL 482 include: Det norske (65 percent and operator), Petoro 20 percent and Skagen44 AS 15 percent.

Oil & Gas Post

Promote Your Page Too
LINK

OMV Makes Gas Discovery in Norwegian Sea

- OMV Makes Gas Discovery in Norwegian Sea

Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Valiant Petroleum plc
by SubseaIQ

Valiant announced that drilling has completed on exploration well 6407/5-2S on PL471 located in the Norwegian Sea. The primary Chamonix target, a Cretaceous-age stratigraphic trap, was found to be dry having encountered poorly developed sands in the drill location. However, the well has made a small gas discovery in the secondary Cortina target having encountered a gross gas column of about 40 meters in the Upper and Middle Jurassic sandstones of the Rogn and Garn formations. An extensive data sampling program has been undertaken giving important information to de-risk similar nearby prospects. The discovery will be evaluated with the view to determine viability as a tie-back as part of a larger field development to surrounding infrastructure.

The well was drilled in a water depth of 230 meters using the semisubmersible rig Borgland Dolphin and was completed ahead of schedule and budget without any operational problems. The well has a deviated path and was terminated in the Lower Jurassic Tilje Formation at a vertical depth of 3359 m below sea surface. The partners in license PL471 are OMV Norge (50%, operator), Noreco (30%) and Valiant (20%).

Peter Buchanan, CEO, commented, "We are pleased to have made a small gas discovery on our first exploration well in Norway and we look forward to continuing to work together with our partners in order to fully evaluate its potential and the prospectivity of the rest of the license."

Oil & Gas Post

Promote Your Page Too
LINK

NPD Grants OMV Drilling Permit in Norwegian Sea

- NPD Grants OMV Drilling Permit in Norwegian Sea

Monday, August 15, 2011
Norwegian Petroleum Directorate

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has granted OMV Norge a drilling permit for well 6407/5-2 S in the Norwegian Sea, cf. Section 8 of the Resource Management Regulations.

Well 6407/5-2 S will be drilled from the Borgland Dolphin drilling facility at position 64°35'4.4" north and 7°36'48.7" east after completing drilling of wildcat well 31/8-1 for E.On Ruhrgas Norge in production license 416.

The drilling program for wellbore 6407/5-2S concerns the drilling of a wildcat well in production license 471. OMV Norge AS is the operator with an ownership interest of 50 percent. The other licensees are Norwegian Energy Company ASA (30 percent) and Sagex Petroleum Norge AS (20 percent). The area in the license consists of the blocks 6407/2 and 6407/5. The well will be drilled about ten kilometers west of the Mikkel field.

Production license 471 was awarded on February 29, 2008, in APA 2007. This is the first well to be drilled in the license.

The permit is contingent upon the operator securing all other permits and consents required by other authorities prior to commencing the drilling activity.

Oil & Gas Post

Promote Your Page Too
LINK

OMV Spuds Well in Norwegian Sea

- OMV Spuds Well in Norwegian Sea

Friday, July 29, 2011
Valiant Petroleum plc

Valiant announced that drilling has commenced on its first Norwegian exploration well, 6407/5-2S, on PL471 located in the Norwegian Sea. The well is targeting Chamonix, a potentially large Cretaceous stratigraphic prospect, and the secondary Cortina prospect in the Jurassic. The well is being drilled by semi-submersible rig Borgland Dolphin and is anticipated to take around 60 days to complete.

The partners in license PL471 are OMV Norge (50%, operator), Noreco (30%) and Valiant (20%).

Oil & Gas Post

Promote Your Page Too

Aker Buys Majority Stake in Norwegian Subsea Duo

- Aker Buys Majority Stake in Norwegian Subsea Duo

Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Aker Solutions

Aker Solutions has acquired 70 percent of the Norwegian companies Ing. Harald Benestad AS (Benestad) and Phaze Technologies AS.

Benestad and Phaze Technologies, founded and owned by Harald, Pål and Randi Benestad, are well established globally in the subsea industry and have been among the key suppliers to Aker Solutions as well as other major subsea companies for a number of years. Both companies are located in close proximity to Aker Solutions' subsea technology and manufacturing centre in Lier, Norway, and employ 33 people and with a 2010 operating revenue of NOK 49 million (USD 9 million).

Benestad, a highly specialized materials science company, delivers high technology products for hostile, extreme pressure and high temperature subsea environments. All subsea instruments and power consumers require leak free connections through pressure housings and Benestad's power and signal penetrators are viewed by Aker Solutions as the best quality with the highest functionality in the industry.

Phaze Technologies provides advanced and reliable instruments for hydrocarbon leak detection, water leak detection, pressure and temperature measurements and water cut metering. The market for such products is growing as a consequence of more stringent environmental regulations and optimization of production from subsea fields.

"Benestad and Phaze Technologies have unique competence and experience within their fields and a strong commitment to developing leading edge and extremely reliable products. They have very strong technological expertise which will significantly broaden and deepen Aker Solutions' competence base," said Mads Andersen, executive vice president of Aker Solutions' subsea business area.

Pål Benestad, chairman of Benestad and Phaze, said, "Aker Solutions share our vision to be the preferred partner to our existing and new customers. Innovative solutions based on strong technological know-how will remain our focus area going forward and access to Aker Solutions' customers and regional network will enable further growth for both Benestad and Phaze."

Both companies will continue to operate as independent companies with existing management and brands servicing a broad range of long standing clients.

Completion of the agreement is subject to clearance by Norwegian competition authorities. The transaction value is undisclosed.

Oil & Gas Post

Promote Your Page Too

Norwegian MPE Gives Statoil's Hyme Green Light

- Norwegian MPE Gives Statoil's Hyme Green Light

Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Statoil

Just six weeks after the plan for development and operation (PDO) for Hyme (ex-Gygrid) was submitted on May 12, the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE) has given the green light. First oil is scheduled for the first quarter of 2013.

The approval was given the same day as Norwegian petroleum and energy minister Ola Borten Moe presented the main elements of the Norwegian government’s petroleum report. One of the areas mentioned in the report was the aim for quicker PDO decision-making processes.

The Hyme PDO is the fourth fast-track development submitted to the MPE this year, following Visund South, Vigdis Northeast and Katla.

"The approval of Hyme in record time shows that fast-track developments now are accepted as an important approach to infrastructure-led discoveries on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). By reducing the time from discovery to first oil by means of standardized solutions, we make small-size discoveries profitable," said Ivar Aasheim, Statoil’s senior vice president for NCS field development.

Discovered in June 2009, the Hyme field is located 19 kilometers north-east of the Njord field on the Halten Terrace.

The development calls for a production well and a water injection well through a subsea template with four well slots. The field will be tied in to existing infrastructure on the Njord A platform, which has idle processing capacity.

Oil & Gas Post

Promote Your Page Too

Skrugard Estimates Reaffirms Norwegian Continental Shelf Potential

- Skrugard Estimates Reaffirms Norwegian Continental Shelf Potential

Monday, June 20, 2011
Rigzone Staff
by Karen Boman

Statoil reported that its Skrugard discovery provides renewed optimism for the whole Barents Sea region and reaffirms its long-term prospective of the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

Statoil now estimates that the Skrugard discovery in the Barents Sea to contain approximately 250 million boe recoverable resources, with a significant upside potential in the license. The Skrugard well has significantly improved Statoil's understanding of other prospects in the area.

Finding new discoveries and enhancing production from existing fields will be critical for Norway's future. In 2010, the nation recorded the largest decline worldwide in oil production in 2010, according to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy June 2011.

BP reports that Norway had 3.3 million b/d of oil production in 2000; at the end of 2010, the country had 2.1 million b/d. Norway had estimated proved oil reserves of 11.4 thousand million barrels at the end of 2000; at the end of 2010, the country had 6.7 thousand million barrels.

Oil production in non-OPEC countries in 2010 grew by 860,000 b/d, or 1.8 percent, the largest increase since 2002, according to the review. Growth was led by China, which recorded its largest production increase ever, the U.S., and Russia, while continued declines in Norway and the UK partly offset growth elsewhere.

Oil & Gas Post

Promote Your Page Too

Norwegian Govt Gives Go-Ahead to Statoil's $3.7B Valemon Plan

- Norwegian Govt Gives Go-Ahead to Statoil's $3.7B Valemon Plan

Friday, June 10, 2011
Statoil

The plan for development and operation of the Valemon gas and condensate field in the North Sea was approved by the Norwegian parliament on June 9. Production start-up is planned for 2014.

The Valemon field is one of Statoil's largest development projects on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) in the next few years.

The recoverable reserves are estimated at 206 million barrels of oil equivalents – including 26 billion cubic meters of gas, five million cubic meters of condensate and one million cubic meters of natural gas liquids (NGL).

The partners will invest almost NOK 20 billion in the platform, pipelines and production wells.

Development of Valemon involves a fixed platform with a steel jacket for the separation of gas, condensate and water. The normally unmanned platform will be remotely controlled from the Kvitebjørn platform when drilling operations are completed in 2016/17.

Gas from Valemon will be transported via the existing pipeline from Huldra to Heimdal, a hub which enables the gas to be exported to European markets.

The condensate will be piped to Kvitebjørn for stabilization and further transport to the Mongstad refinery in Hordaland.

At peak, Valemon is expected to produce approximately three billion cubic meters of gas annually.

"Production from Valemon will enable us to utilize spare capacity in the processing facilities on the Kvitebjørn and Heimdal platforms. Meanwhile, the platform and transport systems provide an excellent basis for the development of further oil and gas fields in the area," said Statoil senior vice president of NCS field development Ivar Aasheim.

The Valemon reservoir is complicated because it is fragmented, but also because of its high pressure and high temperature.

The contract for building the Valemon topsides was recently awarded to Samsung Heavy Industries, following broadly based international competition between pre-qualified suppliers. The contract is worth an estimated NOK 2.3 billion.

Design work will be carried out by the Grenland Group in Sandefjord, Norway and Technip in Malaysia. Grenland Group will also build the flare stack. Hertel Marine in the Netherlands will be responsible for the construction of the accommodation quarters.

The contract for steel jacket construction was previously awarded to Heerema Vlissingen B.V., while Heerema Marine Contractors Nederland B.V. landed the contract for transport and mating of jacket and topsides.

Saipem was awarded the contract for installation of the topside facilities. Pipeline design was awarded to IKM Ocean Design.

The Valemon field is located in the North Sea between Kvitebjørn and Gullfaks South, roughly 160 kilometers west of Bergen.

Licensees are Statoil (operator – 64.275%), Total (2.5%), Enterprise Oil Norge (3.225%) and Petoro (30%).

Oil & Gas Post

Promote Your Page Too

RWE Dea Divests Acreage in Norwegian Sea

- RWE Dea Divests Acreage in Norwegian Sea

Wednesday, May 25, 2011
RWE Dea AG

RWE Dea Norge AS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the German upstream company RWE Dea, has entered an agreement with Marathon Petroleum Norge AS and with Lundin Norway AS to farm-down a total of 60 percent in production license 330 in the northern Norwegian Sea.

"We are pleased to join forces with two experienced and highly qualified partners in a license regarded as important and promising in our asset portfolio. We have spent significant time and resources to improve the seismic imaging in the demanding and unexplored Utgard High area. These efforts now show encouraging results," said Hugo Sandal, Managing Director of RWE Dea Norge AS.

The agreement is effective of January 1st 2011, and is subject to Norwegian governmental approval.

After completing a transaction in agreement with Hess Norge in 2010, RWE Dea Norge AS continues as the operator of PL330 with a 40 percent share, and Marathon Petroleum Norge AS and Lundin Norway AS as partners with 30 percent each.

The farm-down is part of RWE Dea's strategy of a balanced portfolio in its core regions. Norway plays an important role in the company's strategic target to boost its annual gas and oil production to more than 70 million barrel of oil equivalents by 2016. In Norway, RWE Dea Norge holds a solid license portfolio and is the operator of the recent and promising discoveries Zidane in the Norwegian Sea and Titan in the North Sea. In 2011, RWE Dea Norge has already been awarded five new licenses and is currently participating in 25 production licenses on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

Oil & Gas Post

Promote Your Page Too

RWE Dea Picks Up Licenses on Norwegian Shelf

RWE Dea Picks Up Licenses on Norwegian Shelf

Wednesday, April 20, 2011
RWE Dea AG

RWE Dea Norge has been awarded two licenses in the recent licensing round by the Norwegian Government. This further strengthens the company's long-term commitment on the Norwegian Shelf.

RWE Dea was awarded a 30% share in the license PL609 in the Barents Sea and a 15% share in the license PL596 in the Norwegian Sea. "License PL609 is located due East of the Skrugard discovery and enlarges RWE Dea's portfolio in this very promising area," explained Hugo Sandal, Managing Director of RWE Dea. "PL596 is a license on the Atlantic Margin and positions RWE Dea for this play."

These two new licenses add up to RWE Dea Norge's already promising and solid license portfolio in Norway. In January, RWE Dea Norge has already been awarded three licenses on the Norwegian Shelf, of which one is in the North Sea and two are in the Norwegian Sea. Norway plays an important in role in RWE Dea's strategic target to boost its annual gas and oil production to more than 70 million barrel of oil equivalents by 2016.

Chevron Bids High to Extend Footprint in Norwegian Sea

Chevron Bids High to Extend Footprint in Norwegian Sea

Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Chevron Corp.
by SubseaIQ

Chevron Upstream Europe has successfully bid for the exploration rights in four blocks awarded in the Norwegian 21st Licensing Round.

The blocks are located in the Outer Vøring Basin in the Norwegian Sea, approximately 335 miles (540 kilometers) west of the coast of Bodø, in 6824 feet (2080 meters) of water. Chevron Norge AS has been appointed as the operator with a 40 percent equity in Production License PL598 comprising the blocks 6601/6 and 9 and 6602/4 and 7. The other participants in the blocks are ExxonMobil Exploration & Production Norway AS with 30 percent equity interest, Idemitsu Petroleum Norge AS with 10 percent equity interest and Petoro AS with 20 percent equity interest.

"Chevron is committed to building a focused portfolio of key exploration prospects worldwide," said Guy Hollingsworth, President of Chevron Europe, Eurasia and Middle East. "We view the deep waters of the Norwegian Sea as an area of significant resource potential and this acquisition advances our strategy of pursuing attractive and high-impact growth opportunities." Hollingsworth added, "This is Chevron's second award in the deep water of the Norwegian Sea and as operator, we look forward to working with our partners and bringing our technical expertise and capabilities to this high-potential area."

"Rick Cohagan, Managing Director of Chevron Upstream Europe said, "We are very pleased with the partnership which will complement the strengths of the four companies – Chevron's exploration experience from the West of Shetland and ExxonMobil, Petoro and Idemitsu's significant regional knowledge and long-term operational experience in the Norwegian Sea. We appreciate the strengthened license criteria imposed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy in Norway deep water operations and we will continue to apply Chevron's safety standards in all aspects of our operations."

Statoil Drills Duster in Norwegian Sea

Statoil Drills Duster in Norwegian Sea

Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Norwegian Petroleum Directorate

Statoil, operator of production license 429, is in the process of completing drilling of delineation well 6407/4-2 on the 6407/4-1gas/condensate discovery.

The discovery was proven in 1985, in Middle Jurassic reservoir rocks (the Garn formation) about 25 kilometers west of the Mikkel field. Before well 6407/4-2 was drilled, the resource estimate for the discovery was 2.55 billion standard cubic meters (Sm3) of recoverable gas and 0.67 million Sm3 of recoverable condensate.

The primary exploration target for the well was to delineate the 6407/4-1 gas/condensate discovery. The secondary exploration target was to prove petroleum in Middle Jurassic reservoir rocks (the Ile formation).

In the primary target, reservoir rocks in the Garn formation were encountered, with poorer reservoir quality than expected. The secondary target in the Ile formation had reservoir rocks with the expected reservoir quality.

Data acquisition and sampling have been carried out. Both exploration targets in the well were water-bearing.

This is the first exploration well in production license 429. The license was awarded in APA 2006.

The well was drilled to a vertical depth of 4207 meters below sea level, and was terminated in the Ile formation in the Middle Jurassic. The water depth at the site is 222 meters. The well will now be permanently plugged and abandoned.

The 6407/4-2 well was drilled by the Transocean Leader drilling facility, which will now proceed to production license 312 in the Norwegian Sea to drill wildcat well 6407/3-1 S where Statoil Petroleum AS is the operator.