AGR was assigned by OMV to drill a well in the Barents Sea. As a result of establishing different drilling targets and challenging reservoirs, the operation ended with two wells drilled with the Leiv Eiriksson rig.
AGR delivered the Wisting wells with no major delays and excellent results achieved in HSEQ and environmental surveillance. Additionally, the wells appeared to be the northernmost wells drilled in the area and were AGR’s first wells drilled in the Barents Sea.
The Hoop area, where the wells were drilled, had seen little exploration at the time of drilling. in addition, the availability of relevant offset data was limited to the team. The geographical location of the wells and its environmental conditions required increased focus and extended amount of efforts invested into securing safe operations. The rig had been used in milder weather conditions in comparison to the harsh weather period during which the operational phase of the project took place. Also, the reservoir was located less than 250 m below the seabed causing the team to have enhanced focus on well control.
AGR developed a separate procedure for raising the well control awareness. The team planned and prepared for the operations using modified HPHT well procedures. Special technology was required due to the unique design of the first well, the Wisting Central.The latter was drilled to TD of 930 m, and proved to be an oil discovery. The second target, the Kobbe formation, was reached by spudding the second well, wisting Alternative, which drilled to TD of 2,535 m. After 95 operational days in total, both wells were permanently plugged back and the rig sailed from the location.
