Noreco is in the process of completing drilling of the Verdande well 6608/10-16 (PL484) in the Norwegian Sea. The firm said hydrocarbon shows were found in two sections, but that well will be plugged and abandoned without further testing.
The main target of the well was in the Middle Jurassic. Sandstones with hydrocarbon saturation were found, but the reservoir quality was generally poor and it was not possible to demonstrate moveable hydrocarbons.
In the secondary target in Lower Cretaceous oil was found in thin sandstone layers. The oil was sampled for further evaluation.
The well was drilled to 4000m total depth below mean sea level using the semisubmersible drilling rig Bredford Dolphin. The well will now be plugged and abandoned, and the results will be analysed in order to further assess the prospectivity in the license. The results do not at this stage give a basis for evaluating commerciality.
The partners in PL484 are Noreco Norway (30% and operator), Dana Petroleum Norway (30%), Explora Petroleum (30%) and E.ON E&P Norge (10%).