Further work will be required to determine the resource potential and commerciality of this discovery. An extensive data acquisition program was carried out on this well, including coring and several mini drill stem tests (DSTs) with the successful recovery of hydrocarbon samples. Preliminary analysis confirms a gross oil bearing column of about 40 meters and good flow characteristics.

The exploration well was drilled with the Songa Dee semi-submersible drilling rig to a total vertical depth of 2,030 meters below sea level in a water depth of 107 meters.

PL 338 was awarded in the Norwegian North Sea licensing round in 2004. Lundin Petroleum is the operator of PL338 with a 50% interest with partners Wintershall Norge ASA with 30% and RWE Dea Norge ASA with 20% interest.

Ashley Heppenstall, president and chief executive officer of Lundin Petroleum comments: “We are pleased to announce a further discovery in the Greater Luno Area. However the well confirms the area is geologically complex and that the Luno Extension is most likely not connected to the Luno field”.