Second discovery of the year near the Troll field in the North Sea
The volumes are estimated
at between 24 and 84 million barrels of oil equivalent, with slightly more
oil than gas. Named Heisenberg, the discovery well was drilled by the Deepsea
Stavanger drilling rig. Equinor is the operator, and DNO is a partner.
The
discovery is considered commercially interesting, partly because it can
utilise existing infrastructure connected to the Troll B platform. However,
an appraisal well is needed to get a more precise estimate of the size
before it can be concluded whether the volumes can be recovered. The parties
are considering drilling the appraisal well in 2024.
"Our
Troll exploration play keeps delivering. With discoveries in eight out
of nine exploration wells, we are approaching a success rate of 90%. We
plan to further explore the area, while looking at possible development
solutions for the discoveries that have been made. We have a good infrastructure
in the area and can quickly bring competitive barrels from here to the
market at low cost and with low CO2 emissions," says Geir Sørtveit,
Equinor’s senior vice president for exploration and production west.
Five
of the eight discoveries have been made in licences awarded through APA
rounds.
It
is just over a month since Equinor together with partners made the Røver
South discovery in the same area. Through acquisitions two weeks ago, Equinor
increased its ownership interests in four of the discoveries made in the
area.
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The seven previous discoveries are: Echino South, Swisher, Røver North,
Blasto, Toppand, Kveikje and Røver South.