Neptune Energy has started drilling on the Ofelia exploration oil well in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.
OFELIA
The Ofelia prospect is located 13km north of the Gjøa field within the Neptune-operated PL929 licence, and lies in one of Neptune’s core areas and close to existing infrastructure.
The reservoir target is the Lower Cretaceous Agat Formation which the company expects to reach at a depth of approximately 2,570 metres.
OPERATIONS
Odfjell Drilling is using the semi-submersible rig the Deepsea Yatai owned by CIMC, to drill well 35/6-3 S.
The programme comprises a main-bore (35/6-3 S) with an optional side-track (35/6-3 A) based on the outcome of the exploration well.
In the event of a commercial discovery, the Ofelia prospect could be tied back to the Neptune-operated Gjøa platform and produce at less than half the average carbon intensity of Norwegian continental shelf fields, said the company in a statement.
CARBON EFFICIENT
“Ofelia is an interesting prospect and fits our exploration strategy of focusing on opportunities within core areas near existing infrastructure,” added Neptune’s director of subsurface in Norway, Steinar Meland.
“In case of a discovery, Ofelia could potentially be developed in parallel with Hamlet, resulting in a low cost and carbon efficient development.”
JOINT VENTURE
The project partners comprise Neptune Energy (operator, 40%); Wintershall Dea (20%); Lundin Energy Norway – a fully owned subsidiary of Aker BP as of July 30 2022 (10%); Pandion Energy (20%); and DNO (10%).