OMV Norge’s recent gas discovery in the Norwegian Sea has significant implications for the company’s future operations and its commitment to diversifying its energy production. The discovery, found in the Haydn/Monn exploration prospect, is notable not only for its estimated recoverable volumes of 30-140 million barrels of oil equivalent but also for its proximity to existing infrastructure.
**Location and Context**
The well, drilled 300 kilometers west of the Norwegian mainland, is situated at a water depth of 1,064 meters. This strategic location, approximately 65 kilometers southwest of the Aasta Hansteen field, positions OMV to leverage existing infrastructure for potential subsea tiebacks. The discovery is also within the production license 1194, a new license granted to OMV, Inpex Idemitsu Norge, and Vår Energi in February 2023.
**Geological Insights**
The exploration well targeted Upper Cretaceous reservoir rocks in the Springar and Nise formations. In the primary exploration target, a gas column of about 20 meters was encountered, with 13 meters in moderate to good quality sandstone reservoir rocks. Furthermore, an additional 11 meters of gas-filled sandstone layers were discovered in the lower part of the Springar formation. In the secondary Nise formation target, a 5-meter gas column was found in sandstone reservoir rocks with moderate quality.
These discoveries suggest that the area holds substantial potential for gas reserves, which could extend the life of the Aasta Hansteen gas hub. OMV’s stake in the Aasta Hansteen field, operated by Equinor, provides a natural fit for integrating this new discovery into the existing infrastructure.
**Implications and Future Strategy**
The success of this exploration campaign underscores OMV’s strategy to increase its share of gas production. By 2030, OMV aims to source over 60% of its energy from gas, positioning itself as a reliable gas supplier in Europe. This transition fuel strategy