Statoil Strikes Largest Oil Column in Johan Sverdrup So Far (Norway)

Det Norske Johan Sverdrup Well Results 'Very Good'

The “Fault Margin” appraisal well in PL 265 on the Johan Sverdrup discovery, in the Norwegian part of the North Sea, is in the process of being completed.

“Det norske oljeselskap ASA is of the opinion that the well results are very good. The result removes any uncertainty related to the reservoir quality in the part of the Johan Sverdrup discovery bordering the field’s main western boundary fault,” said the company in a press release.

Det norske holds a 20 percent ownership interest in PL 265, where the operator Statoil is in the process of completing the drilling of the appraisal well 16/2-17 S. The Johan Sverdrup extension into PL 265 was proven by appraisal well 16/2-8 in autumn 2011, where oil of good quality was proved in Upper and Middle/Lower Jurassic sandstones. Appraisal well 16/2-17 S was drilled about 1.4 kilometres south-west of 16/2-8.

The purpose of well 16/2-17 S was to determine reservoir properties and thickness near the main western boundary fault of central Johan Sverdrup. The well encountered an 82 metre gross oil column, which is the largest oil column proven in the field to date. The main reservoir (Upper Jurassic) showed very good qualities in a 38 metre thick interval – the thickest Upper Jurassic reservoir proven in the Johan Sverdrup discovery to date. The well also proved good reservoir qualities in Middle/Lower Jurassic, with some thin shaley intervals. The oil water contact was found at the same level as in neighbouring wells of the central Johan Sverdrup.

Comprehensive data acquisition and sampling was carried out, including two formation tests (DST/Drill Stem Test). The first test showed a production rate of 420 standard cubic metres (scm) of oil per flow day through a 40/64-inch choke from a seven metre thick sandstone interval in Middle/Lower Jurassic. The second test showed a production rate of 920 standard cubic metres (scm) of oil per flow day through a 48/64-inch choke from the 38 metre thick interval in Upper Jurassic. Both tests confirmed the good reservoir properties and great lateral extent. The well results remove any uncertainty related to the reservoir quality in the part of the Johan Sverdrup discovery bordering the field’s main western boundary fault.

An 800 metre western sidetrack (16/2-17 B) is now planned, with objective to explore the oil potential on the basement high immediately west of the Johan Sverdrup discovery (Cliffhanger South).

[mappress]
 May 14, 2013