The recoverable volumes of gas and condensate are now estimated at between 77 and 180 million barrels of oil equivalent. The total volumes in the reservoir are about three times as large, but the reservoir properties mean that only parts of the resources can be recovered (see fact box).

“To find such large gas volumes in a mature area on the Norwegian continental shelf is very good. We have long had faith in the Afrodite discovery, and this appraisal well has uncovered volumes far above expectations,” says Kjetil Hove, Equinor’s executive vice president for Exploration & Production Norway.

Afrodite was discovered in 2008. The reservoir has relatively low permeability, which means that the gas flows slowly through the reservoir rock and makes the resources difficult to recover. The results from the appraisal well will now be analysed further.

“We are highly ambitious about exploration on the Norwegian continental shelf. Equinor strongly believes that there is still more to be discovered and is working purposefully to increase the likelihood of new and larger discoveries. The results at Afrodite show the potential that still exists in mature areas. At the same time, new discoveries in new exploration areas will be crucial for maintaining production from the Norwegian continental shelf and deliveries of energy to Europe,” says Hove.

Equinor considers the discovery to be commercially viable and will continue to work on the possibility of a subsea development tied back to the Kvitebjørn platform. In the event of a development, the gas could be sent via existing infrastructure to the Kollsnes processing plant in Øygarden and on to the European market.

The appraisal well was drilled by the Deepsea Yantai rig. Wellesley is the operator of the well, while Equinor is the operator of the production licence.