Equinor spudded exploration well 7132/2-2 targeting the Gjokasen Deep prospect on 6 January 2019 in PL 857 using the âWest Herculesâ S/S. The top hole section was drilled and then the rig was moved off location on 14 January 2019 to complete the drilling of the Gjokasen Shallow 7132/2-1 well (see separate article). Gjokasen Deep was re-entered on 10 February 2019. 7132/2-2 is located approximately 3 km southwest of the Gjokasen Shallow well and it targeted potential recoverable reserves of 428 MMboe according to partner Lundin. It was drilled to an initial TD at 3,400 m but was later sidetracked to 3,495 m subsea in the Permian Roye Formation. Sands were proven in the Triassic Snadd Formation (25 m), Kobbe Formation (17 m), Klappmyss Formation (17 m), Upper Havert Formation (26 m) and Lower Havert Formation (110 m) but no hydrocarbons were present. The well was drilled to the extended TD after increased formation gas was identified, to investigate source rock and deeper reservoir potential,l but no reservoir was found in this section. On 2 April 2019 the well is being abandoned.   Gjokasen Deep is one of four prospects that will be drilled in the Barents Sea Southeast in 2019. The others are the Gjokasen Shallow well which was a dry hole, Equinorâs Korpfjell Deep prospect in PL 859 which lies in the north part of the region and Aker BPâs Stangnestind prospect in PL 858 which lies to the northeast of Gjokasen. All of these wells were delayed from 2018. All three licences were awarded in the 23rd Round in 2016 and the results are eagerly awaited as this area of the NCS was completely undrilled apart from Statoilâs first Korpfjell well in 2017 which was disappointing (finding gas instead of the anticipated oil).    Interest in PL 857 is held by Equinor Energy AS (40% + operator), Aker BP ASA (20%), Lundin Norway AS (20%) and Petoro AS (20%).
7132/02-02 (GjÃ¸kÃ¥sen Deep) (Equinor 40% op, Aker BP 20%, Lundin 20%, Petoro 20%) in PL 857, contrary to earlier industry rumours the well is dry, encountered good and variable quality sst in the late Triassic and sst in the early Triassic of poor qualityâ but ânone were hydrocarbon-bearingâ. WD=304m, TD=3 495m (late Permian). 