OMV (Norge) AS, operator of the PL 1194, makes natural gas Discovery in the Norwegian Sea targeting the “Haydn/Monn” exploration prospects. The well encountered gas with estimated recoverable volumes between 30 and 140 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) in total.
The discovery well, wildcat well 6605/6-1 S, is the first to be drilled in production license 1194, located 300 kilometres west of the Norwegian mainland at a water depth of 1.064 kilometres. The gas discovery is approximately 65 kilometres from the existing infrastructure of the Polarled pipeline and the Aasta Hansteen field.
“The license partners in PL1194 will further evaluate the discovery for a potential gas field development to the nearby infrastructure”, OMV said in a statement on its website. “Leveraging existing infrastructure, a subsea development to the Aasta Hansteen host platform will result in faster planning and execution with lower development costs, and a reduced carbon footprint”.
“This discovery could unlock significant potential in the area and extend the life of the Aasta Hansteen gas hub, in which OMV already has a stake”, said OMV executive vice president for energy Berislav Gašo. OMV holds a 15 percent interest in the Aasta Hansteen field, which is operated by 51 percent owner Equinor ASA.
“By focusing on gas as a transition fuel, OMV invests in affordable energy solutions and contributes to a more sustainable energy mix”, Gašo said.
The “Haydn/Monn” deepwater well was drilled with an excellent health, safety, security and environment performance by the Transocean Norge rig, a converted and certified low emission drilling unit.
Norway granted the license February 2023 to OMV subsidiary OMV (Norge) AS, Inpex Corp. subsidiary Inpex Idemitsu Norge AS and Vår Energi ASA. OMV (Norge) AS is the operator of PL 1194 with a 40 % working interest. The partners are Vår Energi ASA (30%) and Inpex Idemitsu Norge AS (30%).
