A string of wells have been drilled along the country’s maritime border to Russia. But none of them meet expectations.
The oil industry rejoiced when Norway and Russia in 2010 agreed about the delimitation of the Barents Sea. The waters that for 40 years had been disputed ground were believed to hide a major hydrocarbon potential. Both countries soon started seismic mapping of the area and leader of the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate Bente Nyland quickly made clear that preliminarily results «gave her stars in the eyes».
Nine years later, there is little cheering among the Norwegian oilmen that are engaged in well drilling in the borderland.
On Tuesday, the country’s Petroleum Directorate announced that also the latest well in the area, the Gjøkåsen Deep, was dry. The well that is part of license area 857 was drilled by rig «West Hercules» and is operated by oil company Equinor.
It is the second well drilled in the area. In February, the license holders made clear that a first well was dry. The Gjøkåsen area is located about 175 km north of Vardø, the north Norwegian town, and only 55 km from the border to Russia. Water depths in the area are 293 meter....MUCH MORE
