Wintershall Dea has announced a significant find of gas, condensate, and oil at well 35/11-27 S, situated 100 kilometres southwest of Florø in the North Sea. This exploration, termed “Cuvette,” occurred within production licence 248, originally awarded in 1999. The well tapped into resources across four distinct geological formations, marking a notable stride in the company’s exploration capabilities.

Preliminary assessments suggest the discovery holds between 1.5 and 3.5 million standard cubic metres of recoverable oil equivalent (Sm3 o.e.) in the Tarbert and Upper Ness formations, which translates to approximately 9 to 22 million barrels of oil equivalent. Additional findings in the Upper Jurassic formation indicate between 1.1 and 2.6 million Sm3 o.e., or 7 to 16 million barrels of oil equivalent. An oil zone was also identified in the Etive Formation, although volume estimates are pending.

The Transocean Norge rig, located three kilometres south of the Vega field, facilitated the drilling, reaching a vertical depth of 3986 metres below sea level in the Rannoch Formation. Despite the absence of formation testing, extensive data acquisition and sampling were undertaken, enhancing the geological understanding of the area.

Considering the proximity to existing facilities, the licensees are exploring the possibility of integrating this new discovery with the current infrastructure network in the North Sea. This strategic move could significantly streamline production processes and reduce operational costs.

The primary goal of well 35/11-27 S was to confirm the presence of petroleum in Middle Jurassic reservoir rocks within the Tarbert and Upper Ness formations. The well achieved this, encountering a gas/condensate column of 55 metres in these formations. Although the sandstones were of moderate to poor reservoir quality, the significant column height is promising.

The secondary target involved the Upper Jurassic sandstones, where two petroleum-bearing intervals were discovered. These findings underscore the complex geological character of the region and the ongoing potential for further exploration.

The Cuvette discovery underscores the potential richness of the North Sea’s lesser-explored regions. The strategic decision to drill near existing infrastructure suggests a pragmatic approach to exploration, likely to result in cost-effective production solutions. This discovery could prove pivotal for Wintershall Dea, enhancing its portfolio and solidifying its position in the competitive North Sea sector.

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