**OMV Discovers Significant Gas Reserve in Norwegian Sea, Eyes Potential Tieback to Aasta Hansteen**
In a major breakthrough for the oil and gas industry, OMV (Norge) AS has announced a significant gas discovery in the Norwegian Sea. The well, designated 6605/6-1 S (Haydn/Monn prospect), was drilled approximately 300 kilometers west of the Norwegian mainland at a depth of 1,064 meters. This new find is poised to unlock substantial potential in the region and extend the life of the Aasta Hansteen gas hub.
**Key Details of the Discovery:**
1. **Location and Infrastructure:** The gas discovery is situated about 65 kilometers from the existing infrastructure of the Polarled pipeline and the Aasta Hansteen field, positioning it ideally for potential subsea tiebacks. This proximity to existing infrastructure could dramatically reduce development costs and enhance environmental sustainability.
2. **Reservoirs and Quality:** The primary exploration target aimed to prove petroleum in Upper Cretaceous reservoir rocks in the Springar formation. The well successfully encountered a 20-meter gas column, with 13 meters of this layer residing in sandstone reservoir rocks of moderate to good quality. Secondary exploration in the Nise formation revealed another 5-meter gas column in sandstone reservoir rocks with moderate quality.
3. **Estimated Volumes:** Preliminary estimates indicate that the recoverable volumes of the discovery range from 30 to 140 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe). These recoverable volumes suggest that the discovery has substantial potential for further development and production.
4. **Investment Strategy:** By focusing on gas as a transition fuel, OMV aims to increase its share of gas in its production mix to about 60% by 2030. This strategy not only contributes to affordable energy solutions but also supports a more sustainable energy mix, aligning with global efforts towards reducing carbon footprints.
5. **Partnership and Evaluation:** OMV, as the