Wildcat Well Proves North Sea Reservoir Suitable for Carbon Storage

Harbour Energy Norge, in collaboration with its partners, has confirmed the suitability of a reservoir in the Norwegian North Sea for CO2 injection and storage after drilling the 9/6-1 wildcat well as part of the Havstjerne storage project. The well, located 30 kilometers southeast of the Yme platform and 120 kilometers southwest of Farsund, was drilled in 90 meters of water using Odfjell Drilling’s DeepSea Nordkapp semi-submersible rig.

The drilling, completed in May 2023, aimed to assess the Middle Jurassic and Middle and Upper Triassic reservoir rocks in the Havstjerne project for CO2 storage potential. The well reached a vertical depth of 3,366 meters below sea level, terminating in the Upper Triassic Skagerrak Formation. According to the Norwegian Offshore Directorate (NOD), pressure data from the Sandnes and Bryne formations align with the regional hydrostatic pressure gradient. Extensive data collection and an injection test yielded positive preliminary results, indicating the reservoir’s suitability for CO2 storage.

The well has been permanently plugged and abandoned, and the collected data will undergo further analysis to inform future investment decisions for the Havstjerne project. This well, the first in exploration licence EXL 006 awarded in May 2023, is the fourth drilled on the Norwegian continental shelf to explore commercial CO2 storage.

Phase 1 of the Havstjerne project is projected to store 42.75 million tons of CO2-equivalent over its initial 10 years, potentially avoiding 42 million tons of CO2-equivalent emissions, achieving a 98% greenhouse gas reduction. Harbour Energy, holding a 60% operated interest acquired through its 2024 purchase of Wintershall Dea’s asset portfolio, leads the project. Stella Maris CCS, recently acquired by Yinson Production from Altera Infrastructure, holds the remaining 40%.

Harbour Energy’s project director, Lars Hagen, stated: “The successful drilling of the 9/6-1 well marks a significant step in advancing sustainable CO2 storage solutions. We are committed to leveraging this data to support the Havstjerne project’s contribution to emissions reduction.”

Recently, Equinor also confirmed suitable CO2 storage properties through two appraisal wells in the Norwegian North Sea, reinforcing the region’s potential for carbon capture and storage initiatives. The Havstjerne project underscores Norway’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through innovative storage technologies.