First Exploration Drill by Premier in Norway

Premier Oil Norge AS, operator of production licence 406, has completed the drilling of wildcat well 9/1-1 S (Gardrofa). The well is being plugged and abandoned as a dry hole.

The well, which is the first exploration well in PL 406, was drilled was drilled from the Bredford Dolphin drilling facility, about 30 kilometres west of the Yme field and about 30 kilometres south of the 17/12-1 (”Bream”) oil discovery in the southern part of the North Sea.

“Premier’s Central North Sea exploration drilling focus will now turn to the UK” the company said in a press release.

Simon Lockett, Chief Executive, said:

“Whilst the Gardrofa well demonstrates our capability to drill operated wells in Norway, it was not an exploration success.  Exploration drilling will now focus on the Central North Sea Tertiary play fairways with six exploration wells over the next six months before returning to Asia in 2012.”

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Source: Offshorenieuws Staff , November 23, 2011; Image: BG Group