Spirit Energy is partner in what could be the largest oil discovery on the Norwegian Continental Shelf so far this year.
Preliminary estimates indicate that the size of the Bergknapp discovery in the Norwegian Sea is between 26 and 97 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe) recoverable.
Exploration Manager Marianne Bruvoll in Spirit Energy said: “Further evaluation is necessary but Bergknapp is looking promising. With producing fields like Maria, Kristin and Åsgard, and the Iris/Hades and Fogelberg discoveries in the vicinity, Bergknapp has the potential to become a future development.”
The Bergknapp discovery is located about 10 kilometres from the Maria field, where Spirit Energy has a 20% owner share. In addition, Spirit Energy is operator for the Fogelberg discovery and partner in the Iris/Hades discovery.
THREE FORMATIONS
The primary exploration target for the Bergknapp campaign was to prove hydrocarbons in the Middle and Lower Jurassic reservoir rocks (Ile Formation and Tilje Formation). The secondary exploration goal was to prove hydrocarbons in the Middle Jurassic reservoir rocks (Garn Formation).
The well encountered an oil column of at least 50 meters in the Garn Formation, and an oil column of at least 120 meters in the Tilje Formation. Samples were taken in the Ile Formation which showed moving hydrocarbons.
The Bergknapp exploration campaign was started by the West Mira drilling rig. However, the well was temporarily plugged before it was finalized by the Scarabeo 8 drilling unit.
The Bergknapp discovery is in Production Licence 836S. Licence partners are Spirit Energy (30%), Wintershall Dea (40% and operator) and DNO North Sea (30%).
Image Credit: Saipem, Scarabeo 8 semi-submersible drilling rig