A year after Norway’s Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2015 round, Statoil ASA has discovered 20-80 million bbl of recoverable oil with its Cape Vulture well in PL128 offshore Bronnoysund, Norway, in the Norwegian Sea (OGJ Online, Jan., 25, 2016). The well was spudded in early December 2016 in about 380 m of water, Statoil said.
The discovery lies northwest of Statoil’s Norne field, and Statoil is considering developing Cape Vulture as a tie-back to the Norne’s floating production, storage, and offloading vessel.
Jez Averty, Statoil senior vice-president for exploration, cited the importance of new acreage and the ability to quickly test new opportunities. “Looking at mature areas in new ways may pay off,” he said.
Norne field, brought on stream in 1997, was scheduled to be closed in 2014 but Statoil announced a 2030 extension for the field in 2015 citing new discoveries and improved recovery (OGJ Online, Jan. 9, 2015). The field lies 85 km offshore Norway and has produced more than 700 million boe to date.
Statoil is the operator of licenses 128 and 128D with a 64% interest. Partners Petoro and Eni SPA hold 24.5% and 11.5% interest, respectively.
Contact Tayvis Dunnahoe at [email protected].
