The Grane platform in the North Sea. (Photo: Harald Pettersen)

Operator Statoil has together with PL169 partners proved new oil resources in the D-structure in the vicinity of the Grane field in the North Sea.

Well 25/8-18 S, drilled by the rig Transocean Leader, proved an oil column of 25 metres in the Heimdal Formation. The estimated volume of the discovery is in the range of 30-80 million barrels of recoverable oil.

"We are pleased with having proved new oil resources in the Grane area," says May-Liss Hauknes, Statoil vice president for exploration in the North Sea. "Near-field exploration is an important part of Statoil’s exploration portfolio on the Norwegian continental shelf. It provides high-value barrels that are important for extending the production life of existing installations.”

The D-structure is located on the Utsira High, just seven kilometres north of the Grane field and in the immediate proximity of the Grane F oil discovery made by Statoil in 2013. The D-structure was originally penetrated in 1992 by well 25/8-4, which encountered just one metre of oil corresponding to about six million barrels.

“Well 25/8-18 S appraised the D-structure and proved substantial additional oil volumes in an excellent sandstone reservoir. This is a result of a recent re-evaluation of the area done by the partnership. New seismic and improved subsurface mapping have given us new confidence in the D-structure and allowed to mature it towards a drilling decision,” says Hauknes.

“Tie in to the nearby Grane field is one of the development solutions that will be evaluated for the discovery,” according to Gro Aksnes, Statoil vice president for area development in Operations West.

Tags: Statoil