--> Abstract: Skrugard – A Breakthrough in the Barents Sea, by Bjorn Lindberg; #90177 (2013)

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Skrugard – A Breakthrough in the Barents Sea

Bjørn Lindberg

Expectations and activity levels have varied considerably since the Barents Sea was opened for exploration more than 30 years ago. However, up until the Skrugard discovery, there were no discoveries of sufficient size for new infrastructure outside of the Hammerfest Basin. The PL532 license, regarded as the 20th round “golden blocks” by the industry, was awarded to Statoil (Operator, 50%), Eni Norge (30%) and Petoro (20%) in May 2009. Skrugard was classified as an impact prospect (> 250 mmboe) and became a prioritized drilling candidate for 2011. The Skrugard discovery in April 2011 represented a breakthrough for exploration activities in the Barents Sea, and was labeled “the most important discovery in ten years on the Norwegian shelf”. The discovery was a result of experience, perseverance, and team work. Up until the discovery, Statoil had participated in all 87 exploration wells, and operated ~64 of these. Partners Eni Norge and Petoro have also been among the few stayers with continuous exploration activity in the Barents Sea. Together with the Havis discovery (January 2012), the proven recoverable oil volumes are 400-600 mmbls in addition to the gas caps. A semi-submersible installation with transport to shore via pipeline is planned. The Lower – Middle Jurassic play was unproven in the Bjørnøya Basin/Bjørnøyrenna Fault Complex until the Skrugard well was drilled. In the nearby well 7219/9-1 drilled by Norsk Hydro in 1988, there were good oil shows in the Stø and Nordmela Formation sandstones, indicating that this structure failed due to leakage. The trap seal was therefore considered to be the main risk prior to drilling. The Skrugard discovery well confirmed the top and lateral seal provided by the Fuglen and Kolmule/Kolje formations, and that these can hold >150 m hydrocarbon column with an overburden of < 900 m. The Skrugard well proved the presence of a good to excellent reservoir in the Stø, Nordmela and Tubåen formations. Also in the Fruholmen and the uppermost Snadd formations good sandstones were encountered, suggesting these formations to be potential reservoirs elsewhere. The entire license area is covered with 3D seismic. Direct Hydrocarbon Indicators (DHI’s), prominent on Skrugard, present on Havis, and, in hindsight, somewhat more dubious on the dry 7219/9-1 structure were recognised. As such, important calibration points for the geophysical observations are established. DHI’s of varying strength and confidence have also been identified in numerous other structures within the license boundaries. These include flat-spots, amplitude conformance, intra-reflectivity brightening, and AVO anomalies. The discoveries are important for several reasons; as new reserves for the involved companies, establishment of new infrastructure, and to remove some of the myths linked to the Barents Sea as an exploration province dominated by fatal leakage and “gas only”. Discoveries in this area increase expectations that adjacent areas can contain commercial potential. A second exploration wave is planned for the area and will target four wells, starting with the Nunatak prospect with reservoir of Cretaceous age. The subsequent three prospects are of Jurassic age and of varying depth, volume and probability of success, and will all in a success case be a part of the Skrugard/Havis development.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90177©3P Arctic, Polar Petroleum Potential Conference & Exhibition, Stavanger, Norway, October 15-18, 2013