Exploration/discoveries

Equinor Strikes Oil at Crino/Mulder in the North Sea

Well is estimated to have encountered as much as 35 million BOE.

Deepsea Stavanger
Deepsea Stavanger.

Equinor made a new discovery in the Troll/Fram area in the northern North Sea. This is the ninth successful well in this area in 12 attempts since 2019.

The exploration well with a sidetrack was drilled in the Crino/Mulder prospect about 4 km west of the Fram field and 130 km northwest of Bergen.

The well was drilled by the Odjfell Drilling semisubmersible Deepsea Stavanger. Equinor is the operator of the license and holds a 45% stake. Vaar Energi (25%), INPEX Idemitsu Norge (15%), and Neptune Energy Norge (15%) are partners.

The volumes encountered are estimated at between 9 and 35 million BOE. The discovery comprises both oil and gas, but mostly oil, according to the operator. The licensees regard the discovery as commercial and will consider tie-back to other discoveries and existing infrastructure in the area.

The eight previous discoveries in the area are: Echino South, Swisher, Røver North, Blasto, Toppand, Kveikje, Røver South, and Heisenberg.