Cairn Energy partner plugs two wells in Norwegian North Sea

15th Jan 2014 08:08

Two appraisal wells in the Norwegian North Sea 20 per cent-owned by Cairn Energy are to be plugged and abandoned, according to the company's partner Wintershall Norge.Wintershall, which is the operator of production licence 418 with a 35% interest, is close to completing drilling of appraisal wells 35/9-10 S and 35/9-10 A, nearby the Skarfjell discovery which was proven in spring 2012.Ahead of drilling, the resource estimate for the discovery was between 10m and 25m standard cubic metres (Sm3) of recoverable oil. Preliminary calculations now place the size of the discovery between 10m and 23m Sm3 of recoverable oil and condensate, Wintershall said.Well 35/9-10 S showed reservoir quality as expected, but the area was found to have a lower reservoir pressure and is not in direct communication with the discovery well. Meanwhile, 35/9-10 A showed similar pressure data to the discovery well but contained poorer reservoir quality than estimated."The licensees will assess the discovery together with other nearby discoveries for possible development solutions," Wintershall said.Cairn's share price was more or less flat at 268p in early trading on Wednesday.BC