Det norske completed the drilling of appraisal wells 16/1-22 S, 16/1-22 A and 16/1-22 B on the Ivar Aasen field, according to the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate.
The field is in the central part of the North Sea and was proven in 2008. It was estimated to be 24 MMscf recoverable oil, 1 MMscf recoverable condensate and 4.5 Bcm of recoverable gas before the latest wells.
Well 16/1-22 S encountered a 3m oil column in sandstone of good to very good reservoir quality in the Skagerrak formation. The oil is saturated with a gas/oil ratio of about 160sq cu m, as is the case otherwise in the western part of the field.
16/1-22 A encountered a total oil column of about 55m in the Skagerrak formation, 30m of which was in sandstone of varying reservoir quality, from moderate to very good. The oil/water contact was not encountered.
16/1-22 B encountered a total oil column of about 45m in the Skagerrak formation, 25m of which was in sandstone of good to very good reservoir quality. The oil/water contact was not encountered.
None of the wells were formation-tested, but comprehensive data collection and sampling was conducted. The results have yielded valuable information as regards the final location of production and water injection wells. Gas was not encountered in the wells.
The Plan for Development and Operation (PDO) of the Ivar Aasen field was submitted to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy on 21 December 2012.
The wells, which have been permanently plugged and abandoned, were drilled in 113m water depth using the Maersk Interceptor jackup drilling rig, which will now continue production drilling on the Ivar Aasen field once the platform's jacket has been installed.