Well 24/12-7, spudded a little more than a week ago in PL1041, targets the Lyderhorn prospect in what are possibly Hermod Fm injectite sands of Paleocene age. Operated by Aker BP and partnered by Neptune (30%) and Lundin (15%), the well will also test the underlying Heimdal sands.
As shown on the map, the prospect was skimmed in 2003 when Statoil drilled the 24/12-4 well a little bit further to the west. This well also targeted the Hermod Fm as well as the underlying Heimdal, but even though sands were found in both intervals, they turned out to be water wet.
Attend the NCS Exploration Strategy Conference in Stavanger – 17-18 November – and hear from Olav Antonio Blaich from Aker BP how his company is shaping up their exploration programme for the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
The expected size of Lyderhorn is small – Aker BP estimated the prospect to contain only 6-14 MMboe. It is another indication that smaller volumes are being targeted these days. But, as Tom Dreyer from Equinor said during the Exploration Revived Conference in September, volumes up to 5 MMboe are already worth chasing if close to existing infrastructure. For Aker BP and partners, any additional volumes added to their larger Frosk area must be seen as welcome.
Given that Aker BP also acquired a 50% stake in UK Licence P2511 last year, it suggests that the company is serious about chasing this cross-border play.
HENK KOMBRINK
