Statoil announces small gas discovery in the Barents Sea

Statoil and partners ENI and Petoro have made a small gas discovery in the Blåmann well, between the Snøhvit and Goliat fields in the Barents Sea. Recoverable volumes are estimated at 2-3 billion standard cubic metres (BCM), approximately 10-20 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), Statoil said in a news release.

The well was drilled in licence PL 849, awarded in 2016 in Norway’s  Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) licensing round. Gas was found in a 23 metre column in the Stø formation.  No oil volumes were encountered.

“We were exploring for oil and this is not the result we were hoping for,” says Jez Averty, senior vice president for exploration in Norway and the UK.

“However, this gas discovery has the potential to contribute additional resources to the Snøhvit project,” he notes.

The discovery is located in the Hammerfest basin, approximately 21 kilometres southeast of the Snøhvit field.

This is the second discovery in Statoil’s 2017 Barents Sea exploration campaign, following the Kayak oil discovery announced on 3 July.

The well was drilled by the “Songa Enabler” semisubmersible drilling rig, which will now move on to the Hoop area to drill the Gemini North prospect in licence PL855, northeast of the Wisting discovery.

Licencees Blåmann (PL849): Statoil (operator) 50%, ENI 30% and Petoro 20%. Licensees Gemini North (PL855): Statoil (operator) 55%, OMV 25% and Petoro 20%