Fossil Energy – Oil Discovery
Equinor has struck oil in exploration well 7720/7-DD-1H, Drivis Tubåen, on the Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea.
The well was drilled in the Drivis structure on the Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea. According to preliminary estimates, the size of the discovery is 9-15 million barrels of oil.
Grete Birgitte Haaland, Equinor’s senior vice president for Exploration & Production North, stated: “Only a short time after Johan Castberg came on stream and started producing at full capacity, we have made a new discovery that can add additional reserves to the field. The original estimated volume of Johan Castberg was between 450 and 650 million barrels, and our clear aim is to increase the reserves by another 250 to 550 million barrels. To achieve this, we are planning six new exploration wells and ongoing exploration activities. At the same time, we will develop Isflak as a rapid field expansion, with a planned start-up in 2028.”
The oil was proven in a new segment called the Tubåen formation, 1769 metres below the seabed in 345 metres of water. The well was drilled by the Transocean Enabler drilling rig as an exploratory extension from a production well.
The licensees will consider the tie-in of the discovery to the Johan Castberg field.
The Barents Sea is the least explored ocean area on the Norwegian continental shelf. With the Johan Castberg’s production facilities in place, it becomes more attractive to explore the neighbouring areas.
Going forward, two rigs will drill both production wells and new exploration wells in the areas around Johan Castberg and Goliat. Equinor will drill one to two exploration wells annually around Johan Castberg.
