Det norske oljeselskap ASA has made a gas discovery in PL 535 on the Norvarg prospect in the Barents Sea, with Total E&P Norge AS as operator. Preliminary estimates indicate that the discovery could hold between 10 and 50 billion cubic metres (BCM) of recoverable gas.

This corresponds to between 63 and 315 million barrel of oil equivalents. Det norske has a 20 percent interest in the discovery.

“This is promising results. Total has done an excellent job on Norvarg. The operator is also a major player in the Barents Sea with interests in the Snøhvit gas and condensate field, on the Melkøya LNG facility, as well as in the Shtokman discovery on the Russian side of the borderline. Total’s experience and competence from the Barents Sea, as well as from similar gas fields internationally, will be of great benefit to Det norske in mapping the size of the discovery and in the evaluation of a possible development of the discovery,” Det norske CEO Erik Haugane said.

The well encountered gas both in Jurassic and Triassic reservoir rocks. Most significant was the discovery of a 400 meter interval reservoir rocks with mixed quality in the Kobbe formation. In the Havert formation, the well proved two gas bearing intervals of 80 and 90 meters, respectively, with poor reservoir quality. Gas was also encountered in the Stø and Snadd formations.

A production test in the upper part of the Kobbe formation, resulted in a maximum flow rate of 180 000 standard cubic metre per day through a 44/64 inch choke. The gas contained only small amounts of CO2, H2S and N2, which is positive as it could improve the value of the gas.

“Det norske believes that Norvarg could represent significant value for the company. We will now analyze the data in more detail before the license makes a decision on what course to take next. For the Barents region this is promising. It is the second major discovery made so far this year and a sign that this region is moving forward,” Haugane said.

Norvarg is located about 250 kilometres north of Melkøya in the Barents Sea and is one of the northernmost discoveries on the Norwegian continental shelf to date. The well is the first in PL 535, which was awarded in 2009 as part of the 20th licensing round.

Partners in PL 535 are:

Total E&P Norge AS (operator) 40 percent
Det norske oljeselskap ASA 20 percent
North Energy ASA 20 percent
Rocksource ASA 20 percent