OMV and its partners have discovered gas in the deepwater well Haydn/Monn (6605/6-1 S) in the Norwegian Sea.
The gas discovery is located approximately 310 kilometers west of Sandnessjøen, at a water depth of 1,064 meters. The discovery is approximately 65 kilometers from the existing infrastructure of the Polarled pipeline and the Aasta Hansteen field.
Preliminary estimates suggest that discoveries in the primary exploration target range between 4 and 12 million standard cubic metres (Sm3) of recoverable oil equivalent (oe). Discoveries have also been made in two other levels, but their size is not yet known.
“By focusing on gas as a transition fuel, OMV is investing in affordable energy solutions and contributing to a more sustainable energy mix. Our goal is to increase the share of gas in our production portfolio to 60% by 2030. A commercial discovery will further drive our diversification while adding value to our portfolio in Norway. Ultimately, today’s news further cements our position as a reliable gas supplier in Europe,” says Berislav Gašo, OMV Executive Vice President Energy.
PL1194’s license partners – including operator OMV (Norge) AS (40% working interest), Vår Energi ASA (30%) and Inpex Idemitsu Norge AS (30%) – will evaluate the discovery for potential gas field development down to nearby infrastructure. Utilizing existing infrastructure, a subsea development down to the Aasta Hansteen host platform will result in faster planning and implementation with lower development costs and a lower carbon footprint, OMV said.
“This discovery could unlock significant potential in the region and extend the life of the Aasta Hansteen gas hub, in which OMV is already involved,” said Gašo.
The well drilled by the Transocean Norge rig is the first under production license 1194, which was granted in 2022. It has since been permanently closed and abandoned.
The primary exploration objective of the well was to detect petroleum in Upper Cretaceous reservoir rocks in the Springar Formation and secondarily in the Nise Formation, also in the Upper Cretaceous.
In the primary exploration target, the well encountered a gas column of approximately 20 metres, of which 13 metres were in sandstone rocks with moderate to good reservoir quality. There was no gas-water contact. Preliminary estimates place the size of the discovery in the Springar Formation at between 4 and 12 million Sm3 of recoverable oil.
In addition, gas-filled sandstone layers totaling approximately 11 meters were discovered in the lower part of the Springar Formation. There is some uncertainty about the size of this discovery, but a preliminary estimate is between 0.5 and 5 million Sm3 of recoverable oil.
In the secondary exploration target in the Nise Formation, a gas column of approximately 5 metres was discovered in sandstone rocks of moderate reservoir quality. The size of the discovery is uncertain, but preliminary estimates are between 0.5 and 6 million Sm3 of recoverable oil.
The formation of the well was not tested, but extensive data was collected and samples were taken.
Borehole 6605/6-1 S was drilled to a vertical depth of 4,641 and 5,123 metres below sea level, respectively, and ended in the Upper Cretaceous Nise Formation.
