An appraisal drilling campaign conducted by a consortium of Aker BP, Equinor, and DNO in the Norwegian North Sea has significantly increased the estimated size of the Verdandi and Lillefix hydrocarbon discoveries. The updated projections indicate a more substantial resource potential for these finds.
The 16/1-EA-4 H appraisal well, drilled on Production Licence 167 (PL 167), revealed enhanced prospects for the two discoveries. Prior to this drilling, the estimated recoverable resources were between 0.6 and 1.9 million standard cubic metres of oil equivalent (Sm3 o.e.), translating to approximately 4 to 12 million barrels. Following the appraisal, preliminary calculations now place the estimate higher, at 1.3 to 2.4 million Sm3 o.e., or 8 to 15 million barrels.
The drilling operation was carried out approximately 200 kilometres west of Stavanger, leveraging Odfjell Drilling’s Deepsea Nordkapp rig. The Deepsea Nordkapp is a sixth-generation, dynamically positioned semi-submersible rig designed for harsh environments. The well, which represents the 11th exploration well within the PL 167 licence awarded in the 13th licensing round, was drilled horizontally from a subsea template connected to the nearby Symra field.
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The primary objective of the 16/1-EA-4 H well was to confirm the presence of reservoir rocks in the Palaeocene Heimdal Formation and ascertain the extent of the reservoir, including the oil-water contact. The drilling successfully identified a 14-meter gas column and a 44-meter oil column within the Heimdal Formation’s sandstone layers. The gas-oil contact was established at a depth of 1,776 metres below sea level. The well reached a total vertical depth of 1,864 metres below sea level, terminating in the Heimdal Formation.
During the operation, 1,515 reservoir metres were drilled horizontally through the oil zone, encountering moderate reservoir quality. Data acquisition, including fluid samples and pressure measurements, was also conducted. The water depth at the drilling site is 116 metres. The well has since been permanently plugged and abandoned.
Aker BP, as the operator, along with its partners Equinor and DNO, are now evaluating the commercial viability of the upgraded discoveries. A key consideration is the potential for a tie-back to the existing infrastructure of the Symra field. The Symra field, which commenced oil production in April 2026, is itself developed as a subsea tie-back to the Ivar Aasen production platform, with final processing handled at the Edvard Grieg platform.
