Equinor: Afrodite appraisal doubles recoverable gas estimate
- Recoverable gas and condensate now estimated at 77–180 million barrels of oil equivalent.
- Total reservoir volumes are about three times larger, but low permeability restricts recoverable resources.
- Equinor considers the discovery commercially viable and is assessing a subsea tie-back to Kvitebjørn with export via Kollsnes.
- Appraisal well was drilled by the Deepsea Yantai; Wellesley operated the well and Equinor operates the production licence; Afrodite was discovered in 2008.
Updated volumes
A new appraisal well in the Afrodite discovery near the Kvitebjørn field indicates recoverable gas and condensate volumes of between 77 and 180 million barrels of oil equivalent. Total volumes in the reservoir are about three times larger, but reservoir properties mean only parts of the resources can be recovered.
Reservoir characteristics
Afrodite was discovered in 2008. The reservoir has relatively low permeability, causing slow gas flow through the rock and making resources difficult to recover; the results from the appraisal well will now be analysed further.
Commercial outlook and development option
Equinor considers the discovery commercially viable and will continue work on a possible subsea development tied back to the Kvitebjørn platform. In the event of a development, the gas could be sent via existing infrastructure to the Kollsnes processing plant in Øygarden and on to the European market.
Drilling and operators
The appraisal well was drilled by the Deepsea Yantai rig. Wellesley was the operator of the well, while Equinor is the operator of the production licence.
Source: Equinor