Norwegian oil and gas giant Equinor has initiated an exploration campaign on the UK continental shelf (UKCS) comprising five wells in 2019, which is a record number for the company. Mainly, the two exploration wells, one to be operated by Equinor and the second from a partner, are moving forward. Three additional wells, operated by Equinor, are scheduled to be drilled during 2019.
Specifically, the frilling operation, that began on January, was located near the Mariner field. Mariner is an operator field development that belongs to the company.
Additionally, the well is drilled by the Seadrill-operated drilling rig West Phoenix.
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The latter was transmitted from Norway to the UKCS to start working on Equinor’s drilling campaign.
The same rig is planned to drill the Pip prospect in the relatively under-explored East Shetland Platform. Both Bigfoot and Pip were awarded in the 29th licensing round in 2017 with Equinor as operator and BP as partner.
Moreover, the drilling campaign includes an appraisal of the Verbier discovery which was announced in October 2017. The results will help refine the current estimated volumes which range between 25 and 130 million barrels of oil equivalent.
During 2019 Equinor will use the West Phoenix drilling rig to drill the Lifjellet prospect in license P2378, with partner Shell. Equinor also recently acquired an 8% interest in an Eni-operated license (P1620) north west of the Culzean field. Drilling operations on the Rowallan prospect in the P1620 license started in December.
