DNO ASA Celebrates Major Oil Discovery in Norway’s New Play

DNO ASA Celebrates Significant Oil Discovery

DNO ASA, a key player in the oil and gas industry, has recently marked a historic milestone with its latest oil discovery in license PL1086. Holding a 50 percent operated interest, the company is joined by partners Aker BP ASA, Petoro AS, and Source Energy AS, which have interests of 20 percent, 20 percent, and 10 percent respectively.

Details of the Discovery

This discovery, characterized by light oil found in Palaeocene sandstones, is significant due to its exceptional reservoir quality. Preliminary estimates project the gross recoverable resources to be between 27 and 57 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe), with a mean estimation at 41 MMboe. This impressive potential highlights the discovery's importance in the wider context of oil exploration.

First Oil Encounter

The well drilled is particularly noteworthy as it represents the first encounter of moveable oil within the Borr unit of the Våle Formation in Norway. This makes the find a pivotal moment, acting as a play opener in the region. The drilling campaign had two exploration targets, with one being a deeper prospect named Falstaff, where no reservoir was found. Conversely, the shallower prospect—dubbed Othello—revealed a 16-meter net oil-bearing reservoir, confirmed during a sidetrack operation.

Importance of the Othello Finding

The Othello discovery is the second new play led by DNO as operators in Norway, following the commendable Norma discovery from the previous year. What makes Othello even more compelling is the fact that it has uncovered oil toward the east in the basin, an area previously thought to be unfavorable for oil migration due to perceived risks. In recent years, exploration in this sector has waned, earning it the unfortunate nickname of “the dry belt.”

Future Development Plans

Interests in future developments are already buzzing among DNO and its partners. They are considering connecting the freshly discovered reservoir to existing infrastructure, eyeing the ConocoPhillips Ekofisk hub located roughly 40 kilometers to the west and the Valhall hub operated by Aker BP, around 55 kilometers to the southwest.

Executive Chairman Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani confidently stated, “DNO has become a North Sea playmaker. We have proven persistent, purposeful, and pertinacious, and these qualities pay off in exploration. In addition to our ongoing exploration campaign, we will concentrate on other identified prospects, now de-risked by our findings at Othello.” This marks a clear commitment from DNO to further exploration in the area, bolstered by the new data and discoveries.

Nearby Exploration Initiatives

Meanwhile, the other licensees of the adjacent PL1085, which includes DNO at 25 percent along with partners Aker BP and Petoro, are contemplating developing the 2022 Overly discovery. This development may involve tying back to Aker BP’s Valhall hub, particularly in light of recent studies that have enhanced recoverable resource estimates for Overly, located just 10 kilometers to the north of Valhall, adding further excitement to the prospects of increased production.

Drilling Plans Ahead

The Noble Invincible jackup rig, which successfully drilled the PL1086 well and its sidetrack, is now set to move on to drill a production well in the nearby Tambar East oilfield, in which DNO holds a 37.8 percent interest. Additionally, there are plans for the upcoming 2026 Sunndal exploration well in PL1171, where DNO will hold a 50 percent interest, partnering again with Aker BP.

About DNO ASA

DNO ASA remains a cornerstone in the oil and gas sector, recognized for its operational presence across the North Sea, West Africa, and the Middle East. Established in 1971 and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, DNO ASA is involved in various stages of exploration, development, and production across numerous licenses, including regions such as Iraq's Kurdistan, the United Kingdom, Côte d'Ivoire, the Netherlands, and Yemen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was discovered in license PL1086?

DNO ASA discovered light oil in license PL1086, indicating significant potential with recoverable resources projected between 27 and 57 million barrels of oil equivalent.

Who are DNO ASA's partners in this discovery?

DNO ASA's partners in license PL1086 include Aker BP ASA, Petoro AS, and Source Energy AS, holding shares of 20 percent, 20 percent, and 10 percent, respectively.

What is the significance of the Othello discovery?

The Othello discovery is significant as it is the first encounter of moveable oil in the Borr unit of the Våle Formation, marking a new play opportunity in the region.

What future plans does DNO ASA have for the discovery?

DNO ASA is considering connecting the discovery to existing infrastructure, such as the nearby ConocoPhillips Ekofisk hub and Aker BP’s Valhall hub.

How does DNO ASA continue to expand its operations?

DNO ASA is actively pursuing other identified prospects in the area, capitalizing on the insights gained from the Othello discovery to enhance future exploration and development strategies.

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