PRESS RELEASE: Eni Norge AS, operator for PL 489, has completed the drilling of exploration well 7120/12-5 in the Barents Sea. The well is drilled approximately 115 km North West of Hammerfest and approximately 50 km west of the Goliat field.

The purpose of the well was to prove hydrocarbon in Jurassic and Triassic reservoirs. (Stø, Snadd and Kobbe formations). It was encountered reservoir rocks of good quality both in the Stø and Snadd formations, but the Kobbe formation had lower quality than expected. Traces of hydrocarbons were encountered both in Stø and Kobbe, but movable hydrocarbons were not encountered and the well is classified as dry with minor shows. Extensive data collection and sampling have been done.

The well is the first exploration well in PL 489. The licence was awarded in TFO 2007, 29.02.2008. The well was drilled to a vertical depth of 3605 metres below sea level and was stopped 60 metres into the Kobbe formation. Water depth is 187 metres. The well is now being permanently plugged and abandoned.

The well 7120/12-5 was drilled with the rig Polar Pioneer. The rig will now proceed to PL 488 in the Barents Sea to drill the exploration well 7119/12-4 with Statoil ASA as operator. 

Eni Norge is part of the Italian major integrated energy company Eni, having activities in more than 70 countries. 

Contact person in Eni Norge:
Andreas Wulff
Communication manager
Telephone: 52 87 49 68
Mobile: 926 16 759
andreas.wulff@­eninorge.com