The PL528 B Ivory exploration well in the Norwegian Sea has discovered gas, Atlantic Petroleum said in a news release. The 6707/10-3S well tested the westernmost segment of the Ivory structure, one of several prospects within the license.

The primary objective of the Ivory well was to prove the presence of hydrocarbons in the Kvitnos Formation sandstones. A thick, well-developed deep marine fan was encountered 61 m (200 ft) shallower than expected. The well was drilled down-dip from the crest of the structure and encountered a 12-m (39-ft) gas zone. In the Lysing Formation the well penetrated a water-bearing sand. Extensive data acquisition has been performed including cores, fluid samples, pressure points, wireline logs and vertical seismic profiles. These data will now be fully analyzed.

Further work is needed to evaluate the resource potential of the discovery. If commercial, the discovery can be tied back to the Statoil-operated Aasta Hansteen Field, located 20 km (12 miles) to the southwest and due to come onstream in 2017. The exploration well was drilled to a total depth of 4,264 m (13,990 ft) below sea level by the West Navigator drillship. The well will now be permanently plugged and abandoned.

Atlantic Petroleum holds a 9% interest in PL528 B. The license is operated by Centrica with 40% interest. Other partners are Statoil with 25%, Wintershall with 10%, Rocksource Exploration Norway with 10% and Repsol with 6%.

Offshore