Wellesley Petroleum makes Carmen discovery in PL1148, Norwegian North Sea

Norway-based oil company Wellesley Petroleum AS has announced the Carmen discovery, a significant commercial hydrocarbon discovery in the North Sea, according to the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD). The exploration well 35/10-10 S and appraisal sidetrack well 35/10-10 A, operated by Wellesley Petroleum in licence PL1148 (Wellesley 50%, DNO 30%, Equinor 10%, AkerBP 10%) using the Deepsea Yantai rig, were aimed at the Carmen prospect.

In well 35/10-10 S, a 210m gas-condensate column was found across multiple formations, with 90m in sandstone layers of variable permeability. Additionally, the well discovered a 70m gas-condensate column in the Cook Formation and a 13m light oil column in the Early Jurassic Amundsen Formation. Notably, no formation water was detected.

The down-dip well, 35/10-10 A, uncovered a 240m gas and volatile oil column across several formations, 50m of which is in sandstone layers with generally poor permeability. This well also revealed water-filled sandstone of good reservoir quality in the Cook Formation, though no gas-water contact was encountered.

The Deepsea Yantai rig was used for making the Carmen discovery in PL1148, Norwegian North Sea. Photo courtesy of Wellesley Petroleum.

According to Wellesley Petroleum, this successful drilling campaign has proved a developable gas-condensate accumulation of 60-100mmboe. Development planning will now be aligned with other regional developments, such as Toppand, Swisher, Grosbeak, and Atlantis. Furthermore, data from the 35/10-A appraisal well suggests potential for substantial additional volumes, with up to 300mmboe potentially recoverable around the discovered accumulation, subject to further exploration and appraisal activity.

CEO of Wellesley Petroleum, Chris Elliott, lauded the Carmen discovery : “Carmen is Wellesley’s sixth commercial discovery in our core Troll area portfolio, and once again validates our geological model for the Middle Jurassic play. Carmen is well positioned to join and add value to the ongoing area development programme for the other recent discoveries in the greater Troll area.

“Wellesley will use the early phase development experience gained from our stewardship of the Grosbeak discovery to move the Carmen project forward efficiently.” Elliott also praised the efficiency and safety of the operation, attributing its success to the combined efforts of the drilling service companies involved.