Det norske, Spike swap North Sea assets

Det norske oljeselskap ASA has signed an agreement with Spike Exploration to swap a 10 percent interest in licence 554/B/C containing the Garantiana oil discovery for a 20 percent interest in license 457 containing parts of the Ivar Aasen deposit, offshore Norway.

Licence 457 is located adjacent and to the east of licence 001B (Ivar Aasen, DETNOR 35 percent and operator) on the Utsira High in the North Sea. Following drilling of the Asha discovery in late 2012 it was established that Ivar Aasen extends into licence 457.

Unitisation discussions between the Ivar Aasen partners and the 457 licence partners are ongoing, with the aim to conclude such discussions at the end of this month.

Licences 554/B/C are located north-east of the Visund field in the North Sea where drilling of the Garantiana-2 appraisal well is ongoing. After completion of the agreement, Det norske will hold 20 percent in licence 457 and 10 percent in licence 554/B/C.

“With the Asha discovery entering a development and production phase through the unitisation with the Ivar Aasen field, Spike is pleased to conclude a deal with the operator of Ivar Aasen that will strengthen our appraisal and exploration portfolio, very much in line with Spike’s business strategy of being an exploration company,” said Bjørn Inge Tønnessen, CEO of Spike Exploration.

The transaction is subject to approval from the relevant authorities.