Another Swing, Another Miss in the North Sea

Norwegian energy giant Vår Energi has struck out for the third time in its quest to uncover hydrocarbons in a promising yet elusive patch of the North Sea. The company, along with its partners, recently drilled a wildcat well on the Kokopelli prospect, located south of the Sleipner area. Despite high hopes, the well came up dry, adding to a growing list of disappointments in this region.

The well, dubbed 7/1-4 S, was drilled in Production License 1190, where Vår Energi holds a 50% operating stake. Partners Petoro and Aker BP each hold 20%, while Equinor holds a 10% interest. This isn’t the first time the area has failed to deliver—two previous exploration wells drilled in the same vicinity also turned up empty. The license was awarded in 2021 as part of Norway’s Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2020 initiative, but so far, the results have been less than stellar.

The Science Behind the Search

The Kokopelli prospect was targeted for its potential to hold petroleum in the Upper Cretaceous limestone rocks of the Tor Formation. Vår Energi deployed the COSL Pioneer, a semi-submersible rig capable of operating in water depths of up to 750 meters. The well reached a vertical depth of 2,488 meters below sea level, encountering 94 meters of poor-quality limestone rocks in the Tor Formation before terminating in the Hod Formation. Unfortunately, the results were far from what the team had hoped for, and the well has since been permanently plugged and abandoned.

A Silver Lining in the Barents Sea

While the North Sea has proven to be a tough nut to crack, Vår Energi has had better luck elsewhere. The company recently made a significant oil discovery in the Barents Sea, close to one of its operated assets. This discovery serves as a reminder that while exploration is inherently risky, persistence can eventually pay off—just not always where you expect it.

For now, Vår Energi and its partners will have to regroup and reassess their strategy in the North Sea. With three dry wells in the same area, the Kokopelli prospect may need to be reevaluated, or perhaps it’s time to shift focus to more promising territories.