The new discovery made in the UK North Sea is estimated to contain oil in the range of 25 to 130 million barrels.
Statoil UK exploration vice-president Jenny Morris said that the discovery is a part of the firm’s plan to develop its UK position through testing three independent prospects ranging in geological risk.
The firm noted that the results of the Mariner Segment 9 and Jock Scott wells were disappointing. However, the third, a sidetrack to the Verbier well has proved at least 25 million barrels of oil.
Statoil Norway and the UK exploration senior vice-president Jez Averty said: “We have proven oil in good quality sands with good reservoir properties, but significant work remains, most likely including appraisal, to clarify the recoverable volumes and to refine this range.”
Statoil said that water-filled sand was encountered in the Verbier main wellbore following which the partners decided to drill a sidetrack using Transocean Spitsbergen drilling rig to assess the remaining potential up-dip.
Jenny Morris added: “The results show that we made the right decision to sidetrack the well and this discovery proves that there could be significant remaining potential in this mature basin.
"The Verbier result certainly gives us the confidence and determination to continue our exploration efforts."
Statoil and its partners are planning to assess Verbier's commerciality and mature additional opportunities within the P2170 license.
Statoil holds 70% stake in the Verbier license while other partners include Jersey Oil and Gas with 18% interest and CIECO Exploration and Production holding remaining 12%.
Image: The Transocean Spitsbergen drilling rig installed in the UK continental shelf. Photo: courtesy of Kenneth Engelsvold/Statoil ASA.
