Eni announces the success of the drilling of the Cape Vulture appraisal well in the PL128 / PL128D license, in the northern part of the Norwegian Sea to 7 kilometers north of the floating production and storage unit (FPSO) "Norne", 180 from the coast and 3,5 north of the discovery well. Eni holds a share of 11,5% in the license, while Equinor AS (operator) the 63,95% and Petoro AS the 24,55%.
The 6608 / 10-18 well with its side deflections 6608 / 10-18 A and 6608 / 10-18 B, has been drilled into a water depth of 372 meters and 167 meters lower than the target well levels of discovery in order to evaluate the fluid contacts and the continuity of the mineralized intervals of the Lange formation, discovered by the well 6608 / 10-17 S NFW.
The appraisal well was drilled to a vertical depth of 3.437 meters reaching the Melke Formation of the Jurassic medium and crossing three levels of mineralized light oil sandstones in the Lange Formation of the Cretaceous age. The acquired data showed pressure communication with the 6608 / 10-17 S discovery well, demonstrating the hydraulic continuity in the reservoirs between the two wells.
The main objective showed a mineralized column of 230 meters in a sandstone range of 18-34 m thick with good reservoir properties. The secondary objective confirmed the presence of oil in a sandstone range of 10 meters thick with good reservoir properties, while a third level of 3 meters of thickness in the lower section of the Lange sequence confirmed the presence of oil. A large data collection and fluid sampling was performed on all objectives.
The well is the second explorer in the PL128D license. The authorization was issued under the 2016 - Awards APA in Pre-Defined Areas. The well will now be permanently abandoned.
The results of the well confirm the commerciality of the discovery with volumes recoverable between 50 and 70 MBOE, with further potential.
The discovery of Cape Vulture, thanks to its proximity, can be developed through the FPSO Norne, which has available capacity and will benefit from a longer working life. The discovery is the result of the development of a new concept of exploration in Nordland Ridge that demonstrates the stratigraphic potential of the Lange Formation on the eastern flank of Nordland High.
Eni has further positioned itself in this new play after the assignment, under the 2017 APA, of two additional licenses located north of the Cape Vulture discovery (PL946 and PL947 both operated by Equinor which has a share of 60%, while Eni is partner with 40%).
Eni is present in Norway from 1965, with a current production of about 160.000 buoys per day through its subsidiary Eni Norge AS.