Core Samples from Johan Sverdrup Appraisal Well Show Oil Traces

Core samples from Statoil-operated appraisal well 16/2-17 B, in PL 265 on the Johan Sverdrup discovery have confirmed oil in weathered and fractured basement rocks, Det Norske, partner in the production licence, today announced.

No sandstone reservoir was found in the primary objective. The well is an 800 meter westerly sidetrack from the Fault Margin well 16/2-17 S onto the basement high immediately west of the Johan Sverdrup discovery. The coring operation in the reservoir section is still ongoing. Final results are thus not yet available.

The well was drilled with the Ocean Vanguard semi-submersible drilling rig.