StatoilHydro has made a large gas discovery in the Natalia prospect in the Norwegian Sea. According to preliminary calculations the discovery could contain around 1.5 billion cubic metres of recoverable gas.
Natalia is located five kilometres north-west of the Midgard structure on the Åsgard field on the Halten Bank and adds to the many finds in this area.
Exploration activities in the area have so far this year given good results, such as the Natalia, Gamma and Marulk (partner-operated) finds.
Positive results in Gamma and Natalia are also important contributions in evaluating the potential of equivalent structures in the area.
Phasing in to Åsgard
In connection with the development of the Natalia prospect the possibility of tieing the gas volumes to the Åsgard field will be considered.
The exploration well was drilled to a total depth of 3040 metres below sea level and was completed in rocks of early jurassic age.
According to Birkeland, they had obtained seismic data before drilling which indicated hydrocarbons in this structure.
A contact between hydrocarbons and water was found at a depth of around 2612 metres and in the expected reservoir interval.
Data gathering
The well has not been formation tested, but comprehensive data collection and sampling have been carried out, including core drilling and fluid sampling.
Drilling on the Natalia prospect was carried out by the The West Alpha semi-submersible drilling rig. The well will be plugged and abandoned and the rig will continue to the StatoilHydro-operated licence 348 in the Norwegian Sea to drill a new exploration well.
The partners in exploration licence 263, where drilling of exploration well 6507/11-9 in the Natalia prospect has been completed, are: StatoilHydro ASA (operator) (70%), Bayerngas Norge AS (30%).
Åsgard Key Facts
The Åsgard field lies on the Halten Bank in the Norwegian Sea, about 200 kilometres off mid-Norway and 50 kilometres south of Heidrun.
The Åsgard A oil production ship arrived on the field on 8 February 1999 and became operational on 19 May. Gas production from the semi-submersible Åsgard B platform began on 1 October 2000.
The Åsgard field comprises the Midgard, Smørbukk and Smørbukk South discoveries.
Midgard straddles blocks 6507/11 and 6407/2, while the two other deposits lie in block 6506/11.
Saga Petroleum discovered Midgard in 1981, with Statoil finding Smørbukk and Smørbukk South in 1984 and 1985 respectively.
The two companies unitised the three fields into a single production licence in 1995, with Statoil as operator.
The largest development on the Norwegian continental shelf
Viewed overall, Åsgard ranks among the largest developments on the Norwegian continental shelf.
The world’s largest set of subsea production installations has been placed on the field, embracing a total of 52 wells drilled through 16 seabed templates.
Review all our latest Discovery news