Sokkeldirektoratet

Dry well in the southwestern Barents Sea – 7018/5-1

12/4/2020 Equinor Energy AS, operator of production licence 960, has concluded the drilling of wildcat well 7018/5-1.

The well was drilled about 100 kilometres southwest of the Snøhvit field, and about 195 kilometres west of Hammerfest.

The primary exploration target for the well was to prove petroleum in reservoir rocks from the Early Jurassic to Middle Jurassic Age (the Stø and Nordmela Formations). The secondary exploration target was to prove petroleum in reservoir rocks from the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic Age (the Tubåen Formation).

The well encountered two water-bearing sandstone intervals in the Stø Formation with a total thickness of 180 metres, with good reservoir properties. The well did not reach the bottom of the lowest sandstone interval in the Stø Formation, nor the Nordmela and Tubåen Formations.

Weak traces of petroleum were observed in the sandstones in the Stø Formation.

The well has been classified as dry.

This is the first exploration well in production licence 960. The licence was awarded in the 24th licensing round in 2018.

Well 7018/5-1 was drilled to a vertical depth of 1099 metres below sea level and it was terminated in the Stø Formation from the Middle Jurassic Age.

Water depth at the site is 307 metres. The well will now be permanently plugged and abandoned.

Well 7018/5-1 was drilled by the West Hercules drilling facility, which will now drill a pilot well on the Askeladden field in production licence 064 in the Barents Sea, where Equinor Energy AS is the operator.

Map of well 7018-5-1

 

Contact
postboks@sodir.no

Tel: +47 51 87 60 00

Updated: 2/6/2025

Latest news

New report about power from shore
10/29/2025 Power from shore as replacement for gas turbines has been the most important abatement to reduce greenhouse gases emissions offshore.
Drilling permit for wellbore 7018/5-2
10/29/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Equinor Energy AS drilling permit for wellbore 7018/5-2 in production licence 1236.
Drilling permit for wellbore 25/8-C-23 D
10/24/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Vår Energi ASA drilling permit for wellbore 25/8-C-23 D in production licence 027.
Production figures September 2025
10/21/2025 Preliminary production figures for September 2025 show an average daily production of 1 991 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate.
Public consultation – proposed changes to two regulations
10/2/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate is submitting proposed changes to the Resource Management Regulations and the Regulations relating to documentation in connection with storage of CO2 on the shelf for public consultation.
Drilling permit for wellbore 35/8-8 S
10/2/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Harbour Energy Norge AS drilling permit for wellbore 35/8-8 S in production licence 248 LS og 248 B.
Popular tours of the Geobank during the Ulltra festival – celebrating the future
9/26/2025 At the end of September, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate participated in a brand-new festival at Ullandhaug - Ulltra 2025. Registered visitors had the opportunity to take part in a guided tour of the Geobank in our offices. 
Seabed data from this summer’s cruise now available for order
9/26/2025 Orders can now be placed for data from this summer’s cruise in the Lofoten Basin (east of the Mohns Ridge) in the Norwegian Sea and the southwestern part of the Knipovich Ridge in the Greenland Sea.
Green light for export via gas pipeline from Troll B
9/25/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted consent for start-up of a tie-in from the Troll B platform to the Kvitebjørn gas export line.
Production figures August 2025
9/23/2025 Preliminary production figures for August 2025 show an average daily production of 2 124 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate.