At the upcoming NCS Exploration – Recent Discoveries Conference, taking place June 8 & 9 in Oslo next month, you will be able to hear the latest about the three exciting projects that have been shortlisted by the program committee and a special representative from the NPD.
The candidates are: the Rolvsnes Extended Well Test by Lundin, the Warka discovery by ConocoPhillips and last but not least the King/Prince discovery by Vår Energi.
Where are the hot plays across the NCS? Attend our Recent Discoveries Conference 8 & 9 June in Oslo and learn about the following exciting wells and fields from the operators themselves:
Toppand, Apodida, Røver Nord, Dugong Tail, Segment D, Hamlet, Talisker East, Rolvsnes, King/Prince, Warka, Wisting, Salina, Bask, Rødhette, Isflak, Snøfonn Nord, Skavl, Mugnetind, Lyderhorn, Gomez, Tyrihans Ile North, Bergknapp & Fenja.
In addition, there will be talks about frontier exploration in the Norwegian Sea, a debate on source rocks and implications on hydrocarbon generation and much more.
Fractured basement
It is no news that oil production from fractured basement is considered risky due to the probability of early water break-through. For that reason, operator Lundin embarked on a project to test the deliverability of the Rolvsnes fractured basement reservoir. Situated in the Johan Sverdrup area, the discovery is being produced from through an Extended Well Test since August this year.
Even though the Rolvsnes discovery is not the most recent one, it is the unusual reservoir and the way it is being tested that made the committee to unanimously agree that it should be a candidate for this year’s prize. No matter the results of the test, the outcomes will form a valuable dataset for further basement developments across the Utsira High and further afield.
The Cretaceous play
The Norwegian Sea has seen a recent string of wells drilled with the aim to test the Cretaceous play featuring Lysing and Lange deep-water sandstones. It is a clear example of the hunt for additional reserves in stratigraphic intervals sometimes considered risky due to the rapid lateral facies changes and subtle traps.
In that light, ConocoPhillips’ drilling of the Warka prospect must be seen as courageous; not only because of the factors mentioned above, but also because the depth of the prospect at almost 5,000 m in a western part of the Norwegian Sea petroleum fairway. For these reasons, as well as the business acumen the company showed when it took over operatorship of the PL1009 licence, the 50-189 MMboe gas discovery is a rightful candidate for this year’s prize.
Exploration success in historic heartlands
Situated a stone’s throw away from licence PL001 on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, the King/Prince discovery announced by Vår Energi is a clear example of the need for a diverse mix of operators across the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Where previous licence holders did not prioritise exploration, successive owners did, leading to important finds able to extend the life of older neighbouring assets.
That is the case with the King/Prince discovery drilled in 2021. With an estimated recoverable volume of between 60 and 135 MMboe, both the Triassic as well as Eocene sand injectites proved hydrocarbon bearing in the 25/8-20 well and its side tracks. For this reason, King/Prince is a logical candidate for the Exploration Innovation Prize.
So, attend the NCS Exploration – Recent Discoveries Conference next month, hear the latest about these three discoveries and find out who the winner will be at the evening dinner event on Day 1!
HENK KOMBRINK
