**OMV’s Recent Gas Discovery in the Norwegian Sea: A Potential Game-Changer for European Energy**
On August 23, 2024, OMV (Norge) AS, a subsidiary of the Austrian-based energy company OMV AG, announced a significant gas discovery in the Norwegian Sea. The find was made in production license 1194 (PL 1194) and marks a crucial step towards increasing OMV’s gas production to about 60% by 2030, as part of its commitment to becoming a reliable gas supplier in Europe.
**Location and Infrastructure**
The wildcat well, designated as 6605/6-1 S, was drilled approximately 65 kilometers southwest of the Aasta Hansteen field and 310 kilometers west of Sandnessjøen. This location is strategically close to the existing infrastructure of the Polarled pipeline and the Aasta Hansteen field, setting the stage for potential integration with existing operations.
**Exploration Goals and Outcomes**
The primary target of the well was to prove the presence of petroleum in the Upper Cretaceous reservoir rocks of the Springar and Nise formations. The drilling campaign was successful, with OMV encountering a substantial gas column in the Springar Formation. Specifically, the well found a 20-meter-long gas column, with 13 meters of it situated in sandstone reservoir rocks with moderate to good quality. Additionally, gas-filled sandstone layers totaling around 11 meters were discovered in the lower part of the Springar Formation, and a 5-meter-long gas column was found in the Nise Formation.
**Impact and Future Plans**
The discovery holds substantial potential for both OMV and the broader European energy landscape. By integrating the new gas find into the existing Aasta Hansteen infrastructure, OMV aims to extend the life of the gas hub, which OMV already has a stake in. This subsea development