RWE Dea Starts Drilling at PL 435, Offshore Norway

RWE Dea Norge started the drilling of a second well in production license PL435 in the Norwegian Sea beginning of the year. The target of this well is, to explore more gas reserves in the license.

In September 2010, RWE Dea made its first gas discovery in production license PL435. The well encountered gas in a 150 meter column in the Fangst group. After the evaluation of development scenarios for the discovery, the company commenced the second well – the so called “Zidane 2” – last week.

With the semi-submersible drilling rig West-Alpha, the well will be drilled to a vertical depth of approximately 4800 meters below sea level. The water depth at the site is 399 meters. The well operation is expected to last 81 days with the possibility of extension pending a discovery.

During the nine months phase of well planning, extensive focus has been addressed to the HPHT nature of the exploration well. “Drilling Zidane 2 and analyzing the results will be very exciting. Thanks to a thorough preparation by our team, the mobilization and spud was carried out safely and according to plan. Right from the beginning we have a strong focus on health, safety and environment”, says Hans-Joachim Polk, Managing Director of RWE Dea Norge.

“Gas production in Norway is of high importance for RWE Dea. This good progress in the production license in the Norwegian Sea will contribute to the goal to extend our portfolio in the country”, says Ralf to Baben, Chief Operating Officer at RWE Dea AG.

PL435 is located approximately 15 kilometres North West of the Heidrun field and 35 kilometres South of the Skarv field in the Norwegian Sea, off the Norwegian west coast from the town of Namsos.

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Offshore Energy Today Staff, January 18, 2012; Image: Seadrill