Equinor and its partners completed drilling of exploratory well 6507/8-D-4 CH in the Heidrun Cellar SE prospect without encountering commercially viable hydrocarbons. The operation was carried out beneath the Heidrun field in the Norwegian Sea, within production license 124.
The drilling was carried out approximately 240 kilometers west of Sandnessjøen using the Transocean Encourage platform. This well represents the tenth exploratory drilling completed on this license since it was awarded during the 10-B licensing round in 1986.
A target focused on deeper levels of the deposit
The exploration program aimed to verify the presence of oil at deeper stratigraphic levels within the Heidrun field. Specifically, the work focused on geological formations dating to the Lower Jurassic and Upper Triassic, including the Åre Formation and the so-called Gray Beds.
These units have been of interest due to their potential to host hydrocarbon accumulations in mature areas of the Norwegian continental shelf.
Good quality sandstones but without the presence of hydrocarbons
During drilling, approximately 161 meters of sandstone with reservoir characteristics considered to be of good to very good quality were identified. However, the analyses performed did not confirm the presence of oil or gas in the target formations.
Although no formation tests were carried out, the operators collected geological information and technical data that can be used for future subsurface assessments and to improve the understanding of the geological structure of the area.
Exploratory well operating data
Well 6507/8-D-4 CH reached a vertical depth of 2,910 meters below sea level before ending in the Upper Triassic Grey Beds.
The operation took place in an area with a water depth of 357 meters. After the work was completed and the exploratory result was confirmed, the well was sealed and permanently abandoned in accordance with the procedures established for this type of offshore activity.
Equinor and its partners in the production license 124
Production License 124 is operated by Equinor, along with ConocoPhillips, Petoro, and Vår Energi. Although the exploration did not result in a hydrocarbon discovery, the information obtained provides new insights into the deep formations associated with the Heidrun field and will contribute to future exploration decisions in the Norwegian Sea.
Source: Sodir.no
Photo: Shutterstock
