Wintershall Dea AG has successfully concluded the drilling of an appraisal well at the Bergknapp discovery in the Norwegian Sea, marking a crucial step in evaluating potential development options for the field. Positioned strategically in the PL836S license, Bergknapp is situated just 5 miles west of the Maria field and 124.3 miles north of Kristiansund on Norway's west coast. The recent appraisal well, drilled by the Transocean Norge rig, aimed to minimize uncertainties in volumetrics and subsurface conditions within the Bergknapp discovery.

The updated estimate for recoverable resources in the Garn, Ile, and Tilje formations ranges from 44 million to 75 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe). Additionally, estimates for the underlying Åre Formation discovery are projected between 6 and 25 MMboe. The successful execution of this exploration strategy aligns with Wintershall Dea's focus on leveraging existing subsurface knowledge and infrastructure, reducing development time, and ensuring commercial viability.

The Transocean Norge rig, under a long-term contract with Wintershall Dea and OMV, is slated to transition to the nearby Wintershall Dea-operated PL211 CS license. There, it will drill another appraisal well targeting the Adriana and Sabina discoveries.

Wintershall Dea holds a 40% interest as the operator of the PL836S Bergknapp license, while Equinor and DNO Norge each have a 30% stake. The Bergknapp prospect saw initial oil discovery in 2020, followed by a gas discovery in the deeper Åre Formation during a successful re-entry and sidetrack in 2021. The area holds strategic importance for Wintershall Dea, hosting key fields like Maria, Dvalin, and the Adriana-Sabina discovery.

In a separate development, Neptune Energy Group Ltd announced a new discovery at the Kyrre prospect and confirmed volumes for the Ofelia appraisal well, both located in the PL 929 license, near the Gjøa field in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. The Ofelia appraisal well, with estimated recoverable volumes between 16 and 33 MMboe, is a significant step toward a potential future development.

Wintershall Dea remains committed to exploring tie-back opportunities and maximizing the value of existing infrastructure in the region, emphasizing the importance of new discoveries close to platforms like Gjøa.

Headquartered in Kassel and Hamburg, Wintershall Dea operates globally, exploring and producing oil and gas in 11 countries. Formed in 2019 through the merger of Wintershall Holding GmbH and DEA Deutsche Erdoel AG, the company is actively involved in midstream operations, carbon management, and low-carbon hydrogen projects.