Statoil proves new oil resources near Grane field in North Sea
Statoil together with PL169 partners proved new oil resources in the D-structure in the vicinity of the Grane field in the North Sea.
Well 25/8-18 S, drilled by the rig Transocean Leader, proved an oil column of 25 m in the Heimdal Formation. The estimated volume of the discovery is in the range of 30-80 million bbl of recoverable oil.
“We are pleased with having proved new oil resources in the Grane area,” May-Liss Hauknes, Statoil Vice President for Exploration in the North Sea, said. “Near-field exploration is an important part of Statoil’s exploration portfolio on the Norwegian continental shelf. It provides high-value barrels that are important for extending the production life of existing installations.”
The D-structure is located on the Utsira High, just 7 km north of the Grane field and in the immediate proximity of the Grane F oil discovery made by Statoil in 2013. The D-structure was originally penetrated in 1992 by well 25/8-4, which encountered just 1 m of oil corresponding to about 6 million bbl.
“Well 25/8-18 S appraised the D-structure and proved substantial additional oil volumes in an excellent sandstone reservoir,” Ms Hauknes said. “This is a result of a recent re-evaluation of the area done by the partnership. New seismic and improved subsurface mapping have given us new confidence in the D-structure and allowed to mature it towards a drilling decision.”
Exploration well 25/8-18 S is located in PL169 in the North Sea. Statoil is operator with an interest of 57%. The partners are Petoro AS (30%) and ExxonMobil Exploration & Production Norway AS (13%).
