Aker BP Achieves Landmark Oil Discovery in Norwegian North Sea
Aker BP ASA has made headlines with its latest significant oil discovery in the Norwegian North Sea, particularly in the Yggdrasil area. The company recently completed the Omega Alfa exploration campaign, which resulted in an estimated recoverable volume of between 96 to 134 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe). This discovery is being hailed as one of the largest commercial findings in Norway in the last decade, enhancing the resource potential of the Yggdrasil area, where Aker BP aims to produce over a billion barrels of oil.
CEO Karl Johnny Hersvik of Aker BP explained that the Omega Alfa discovery builds on the momentum generated by the previous oil find at East Frigg in 2023. Hersvik attributed the success to a strong collaboration among internal teams and alliance partners, effectively leveraging innovative exploration techniques.
The Omega Alfa campaign specifically targeted five key areas: Omega, Alfa, Alfa South, Sigma NE, and Pi, with exploratory efforts centered around a multilateral well strategically located west of Yggdrasil. In a preliminary report last July, Aker BP indicated a potential discovery of 20-40 mmboe from two of these areas. After completing the extensive exploration campaign, the calculated recoverable volumes surged to 96-134 mmboe—the kind of robust data that can significantly bolster Aker BP's operational capabilities in the region.
The drilling operations, which commenced in early May of this year, utilized the Deepsea Stavanger rig, accomplishing an impressive total of 45,000 meters of drilling over a period of three months. Notably, this included an unprecedented 40,000 meters drilled specifically within reservoir sections, as well as the longest well branches ever executed on the Norwegian continental shelf, with the most extended branch measuring 10,666 meters.
The use of horizontal drilling methods allowed the gathering of valuable reservoir data, drastically reducing subsurface uncertainties. This, in turn, enables Aker BP to rapidly progress toward concept studies for determining the best tie-back solutions to the Yggdrasil project.
Currently, Yggdrasil stands out as the largest field development initiative active on the Norwegian continental shelf. The Plan for Development and Operation (PDO) received approval from Norwegian regulatory bodies in 2023 and remains on track, with the first oil expected by 2027. The site holds a proven resource base of approximately 700 mmboe, with aspirations to surpass one billion barrels through continued exploration advancements. Thus, the Omega Alfa discovery holds critical importance in actualizing this ambitious vision.
The Omega Alfa exploration campaign was conducted spanning multiple production licenses: 873, 873 B, and 1249, all operated by Aker BP. The partnerships established in licenses 873 and 873 B feature Aker BP (47.7%), Equinor (40%), and Orlen Upstream Norway (12.3%). Similarly, in license 1249, the partners comprise Aker BP (38.16%), Equinor (32%), Petoro (20%), and Orlen Upstream Norway (9.84%). Exciting times lie ahead for Aker BP as they work to maximize the region’s oil production capabilities strategically, leveraging this latest discovery to achieve long-term operational goals.
CEO Karl Johnny Hersvik of Aker BP explained that the Omega Alfa discovery builds on the momentum generated by the previous oil find at East Frigg in 2023. Hersvik attributed the success to a strong collaboration among internal teams and alliance partners, effectively leveraging innovative exploration techniques.
The Omega Alfa campaign specifically targeted five key areas: Omega, Alfa, Alfa South, Sigma NE, and Pi, with exploratory efforts centered around a multilateral well strategically located west of Yggdrasil. In a preliminary report last July, Aker BP indicated a potential discovery of 20-40 mmboe from two of these areas. After completing the extensive exploration campaign, the calculated recoverable volumes surged to 96-134 mmboe—the kind of robust data that can significantly bolster Aker BP's operational capabilities in the region.
The drilling operations, which commenced in early May of this year, utilized the Deepsea Stavanger rig, accomplishing an impressive total of 45,000 meters of drilling over a period of three months. Notably, this included an unprecedented 40,000 meters drilled specifically within reservoir sections, as well as the longest well branches ever executed on the Norwegian continental shelf, with the most extended branch measuring 10,666 meters.
The use of horizontal drilling methods allowed the gathering of valuable reservoir data, drastically reducing subsurface uncertainties. This, in turn, enables Aker BP to rapidly progress toward concept studies for determining the best tie-back solutions to the Yggdrasil project.
Currently, Yggdrasil stands out as the largest field development initiative active on the Norwegian continental shelf. The Plan for Development and Operation (PDO) received approval from Norwegian regulatory bodies in 2023 and remains on track, with the first oil expected by 2027. The site holds a proven resource base of approximately 700 mmboe, with aspirations to surpass one billion barrels through continued exploration advancements. Thus, the Omega Alfa discovery holds critical importance in actualizing this ambitious vision.
The Omega Alfa exploration campaign was conducted spanning multiple production licenses: 873, 873 B, and 1249, all operated by Aker BP. The partnerships established in licenses 873 and 873 B feature Aker BP (47.7%), Equinor (40%), and Orlen Upstream Norway (12.3%). Similarly, in license 1249, the partners comprise Aker BP (38.16%), Equinor (32%), Petoro (20%), and Orlen Upstream Norway (9.84%). Exciting times lie ahead for Aker BP as they work to maximize the region’s oil production capabilities strategically, leveraging this latest discovery to achieve long-term operational goals.
Topics Energy）
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