Two appraisal wells, which have now completed on the giant Johan Sverdrup discovery, have firmed up oil in the northeast sector of the field.

Johan Sverdrup appraisal well 16/2-19 has encountered a 6-m (19.68-ft) oil column in a good quality lower Jurassic and upper Triassic Geitungen Formation.

Sidetrack well 16/2-19A, which was drilled approximately 1,000 m (3,280 ft) toward the southwest, encountered another 13 m (42.68 ft) of gross oil pay with low to excellent quality upper Jurassic sandstone in a more central position within the Geitungen area, reported Lundin Petroleum, one of the field partners.

Both wells were drilled in PL265 with the Ocean Vanguard semisubmersible, operating in a water depth of 116 m (380 ft). The wells will be permanently plugged and abandoned.

According to the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, these were the 14th and 15th exploration wells to be drilled in PL265, and the 10th and 11th wells on or near the Johan Sverdrup discovery in license 265. Statoil operated the wells, partnered by Lundin Petroleum, and Det Norske Oljeselskap.

Offshore