PL 416 Breiflabb

The license group consists of:       
E.ON Ruhrgas Norge AS (op) 50 %
Rocksource ASA 35 %
Det Norske Oljeselskap ASA 15 %  

Work Programme

• Acquisition of CSEM data within one year.
• Decision on acquisition of min. 250 km2 3D seismic or drop within one year.
• Drill or drop within three years.
• Decision on continuation or drop within five years.
• Submit PDO or drop within six years.

Block 31/8 lies within the Stord Basin, approximately 30 km southwest of the Troll Field. The primary prospectivity within the block is the ”Breiflabb” prospect, which is a fault controlled structural trap with potential for multiple vertically-stacked reservoir intervals. The main reservoir potential is related to the shallow-marine sandstones of the Upper Jurassic Sognefjord Formation. Additional, deeper reservoir potential may be found in the underlying Lower – Middle Jurassic Brent and Dunlin Groups. The key risk element for the prospect is considered to be hydrocarbon charge.

Current Status

Two controlled-source electromagnetic surveys were collected over the block during 2007 in order to test for the presence of hydrocarbons in the Breiflabb prospect. These data were analyzed by Rocksource Geotech on behalf of the license prior to the decision to continue into the second year of the license and to acquire 3D seismic. The evaluation of the CSEM data indicates the presence of a resistivity anomaly over the Breiflabb prospect. The partnership decided to progress into the 2nd Phase of the exploration programme and acquired 250 sq km of 3D seismic in Q2, 2008. This fulfilled the work commitment for the 2nd Phase. The 3D seismic data has now been integrated with the CSEM data set. The integrated evaluation resulted in a decision to drill the Breiflabb Prospect. The license partners are evaluating the drilling location and will plan the exploration well during 2010. The Breiflabb prospect will be drilled by the semisubmersible drilling unit Borgland Dolphin in May 2011.Rocksource ASA's geological evaluation of the Breiflabb prospect has resulted in an estimated probability of geologic success (Pg) = 22% and mean recoverable resources = 90mmboe in the main reservoir (Sognefjord Formation). This initial risk and volume assessment has been updated based on integration of EM data. The EM risk adaptation improves the chance of success from Pg = 22% to a post-EM COS = 44%. EM data also contains information on expected prospect size and the estimated mean recoverable resources have as a result been updated from 90mmboe to 170mmboe following EM-based delineation. The EM data indicates that the prospect size can be expected to be similar to the original geologically defined upside case. EM modelling also shows that the technology is only likely to image a hydrocarbon accumulation corresponding to the large end of the originally estimated volumetric range.

Map showing PL 416 and surrounding fields. Wells are marked by black dots.

 
Combined seismic and EM data across the Breiflabb prospect. Red and yellow colours indicate high resistivity.

Last update March 2010