Det norske Catches a Whiff of Gas at Stirby Deep

Det norske, operator of PL 341, has encountered gas in the Stirby prospect in the Viking Graben in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. The well data indicates gas and gas condensate under high pressure in a 230-foot (70-meter) thick sandstone with low porosity at a depth of 15,978 feet (4,870 meters), stated Det Norske. Deeper and additional drilling is necessary in order to confirm the gas, as well as assess both the size and commerciality of the discovery. The Songa Delta semisub is performing the drilling operations in a water depth of about 394 feet (120 meters). Det norske owns a 30% interest in the license; Wintershall owns a 20% interest; Marathon owns 12%; North Energy owns 11%; Bayerngas owns 10%; GDF SUEZ owns 10%; and Talisman owns 7%.