Norwegian oil and gas operators DNO ASA and Wellesley Petroleum have jointly announced a significant gas and condensate discovery in the Norwegian North Sea. The discovery was made in the Carmen prospect, with DNO holding a 30% interest and Wellesley Petroleum acting as the operator with a 50% interest. The preliminary evaluation of data obtained from the discovery well and an extended sidetrack indicates gross recoverable resources ranging from 120 to 230 million barrels of oil. With a mid-point estimate of 175 MMboe, Carmen represents the largest discovery on the Norwegian Continental Shelf since 2013.

The Carmen discovery has exceeded DNO's pre-drill expectations, establishing a deeper hydrocarbon-water contact that triples the company's anticipated range. This success marks DNO's sixth discovery in the Troll-Gjøa area since 2021, with previous discoveries including Røver Nord, Kveikje, Ofelia, Røver Sør, and Heisenberg. The proximity of the Carmen discovery to existing infrastructure provides clear routes for commercialization.

DNO's Executive Chairman, Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani, expressed enthusiasm for the ongoing potential of Norway's oil and gas sector, stating, "Norway is the gift that keeps on giving. Carmen proves there are important discoveries still to be made, and DNO, as Norway's oldest oil company, will be part of this next chapter in the country's oil and gas story."

The drilling work for the Carmen prospect was carried out by the Deepsea Yantai rig, managed by Odfjell Drilling. The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate granted Wellesley Petroleum the drilling permit for well 35/10-10 S in February 2023, with water depth at the location measuring approximately 360 meters. Wellesley Petroleum holds a 50% ownership interest in the license, while DNO Norge, Aker BP, and Equinor hold 30%, 10%, and 10% interests, respectively.

The significant hydrocarbon discovery in Carmen marks a milestone for Norway, solidifying its position as a key player in the global energy industry and emphasizing the ongoing potential for exploration and production in the region.