On 20 December 2019 Source Energy acquired a 20% interest in PL 817 and PL 817 B from operator Neptune (confirmed by the NPD on 10 January 2020). A well is due to be drilled on the HPHT Eirik prospect in PL 817 in 2021. PL 817 lies to the west of Gudrun on the border with the NCS and covers parts of blocks 15/2 and 15/3. PL 817 B lies immediately north, covering parts of blocks 24/11 and 24/12.   The Eirik prospect lies on the western flank of Gudrun and has an Upper Jurassic objective at around 4,200 m TVDSS. Pressures of over 800 bar could be encountered. More details will be available closer to spud.  Gudrun came onstream in April 2014 and, according to the NPD, had remaining recoverable reserves of 116 MMboe from its total estimated recoverable volume of 248 MMboe in December 2018. The HPHT oil and gas field was discovered by Elf in 1975 with well 15/3-1 S. It was developed using a steel platform, with the wellstream being partially stabilised at the process facility onboard before export via a 55 km pipeline to Sleipner A. Production at the field is in decline so the Gudrun Phase II project is being implemented to increase recovery by maturing new drilling targets, updating the drainage strategy, implementing other IOR measures (including a water injection plant) and carrying out an infill drilling campaign. Start-up of the project is scheduled for 2021. The phasing in of the nearby 15/3-4 (Sigrun) discovery, for which a PDO exemption has already been granted, is also under consideration. A power-from-shore solution is being designed as part of the Utsira High Area power grid project (see separate article), due in 2022.  Following completion of the deal, interests in both licences are divided between Neptune Energy Norge AS (30% + operator), OMV (Norge) AS (50%) and Source Energy AS (20%).
Neptune (-> 30% op, OMV 50%) has assigned 20% of its 50% operated stake in PL 817 and PL 817 B to Source Energy.