Statoil and partners OMV and Petoro have found natural gas northeast of the Wisting discovery in the Hoop area of the Barents Sea, Statoil said in a news release Aug. 7.

Describing the discovery as small, Statoil said the Gemini North well—drilled by the Songa Enabler—also proved oil. Recoverable gas volumes are estimated at between 0.4 and 1 billion standard cubic meters, or between 2 MMboe and 6 MMboe. Recoverable oil amounted to between 0.5 MMbbl and 2 MMbbl, Statoil said.

“The well was drilled with the ambition of proving up additional oil resources in the vicinity of the Wisting discovery, but like the previous Blåmann well, we discovered gas,” Jez Averty, senior vice president for exploration in Norway and the U.K., said in the release. “While this well proved a non-commercial gas discovery, the results provide grounds for cautious optimism for additional potential both within this license and the Hoop Area.

Statoil said the well, drilled in license PL 855, was the first well drilled in acreage awarded in Norway’s 23rd licensing round. Plans are for the rig to now move to the Korpfjell prospect in the southeast Barents Sea.

Licensees in Gemini North (PL855) are Statoil, operator, with 55% interest; OMV, 25%; Petoro, 20%. Licensees in Korpfjell (PL859) are Statoil, operator, 30%; Chevron, 20%; Petoro, 20%; Lundin, 15%; and ConocoPhillips, 15%.