Geologically Challenging Probe Failed to Reach Two Objectives

Equinor's latest high-impact exploration well in Norway's Barents Sea, the 7018/5-2 wildcat targeting the Vikingskipet prospect, was unsuccessful. This result continues a recent series of failed exploration attempts in the geologically challenging Barents Sea, which had also targeted the Deimos, Venus, Snoras, and Elgol prospects.

Well Details and Objectives

The well was drilled by the COSL Prospector rig in production licence 1236, which was awarded in 2024 to Equinor, Vaar Energi, and Petoro. The Vikingskipet prospect was estimated to hold potential resources of up to 190 million barrels of oil equivalent. The primary target was the Lower Jurassic, with secondary objectives in the Middle Jurassic to Upper Triassic.

Operational Challenges and Results

Operational challenges during drilling forced Equinor to drill a sidetrack, which resulted in a failure to reach two of the secondary targets. The Norwegian Offshore Directorate reported that the Lower Jurassic target was encountered, but the sandstones exhibited poor to moderate reservoir quality, a condition that also applied to one of the secondary targets that was reached. The well was drilled to a vertical depth of 1,880 metres below sea level in 310 metres of water.

Exploration Context

This was the first of only two high-impact exploration wells Equinor plans to drill offshore Norway this year. The second probe will target the Domen S-Ishjerte Lakris structure in the Norwegian Sea.