Ten licences were added to the portfolio in 2008, including four in Norway and six in the UK, while three licences were relinquished in Norway. The four licences awarded in Norway strengthen DONG Energy’s position in Mid-Norway. DONG Energy will be the operator of three of the six licences awarded in the UK. DONG Energy enjoys a strong position in the West of Shetland area, and the new licence wards strengthen this position still further. At the start of 2009, DONG Energy has also been awarded the operatorship of licence PL518.
This licence is located in the Barents Sea.
Five exploration wells were drilled on the Norwegian shelf in 2008. The wells on two of the licences, PL299 TR3 and PL274 Ipswich, indicated hydrocarbons, and further appraisal of these finds is ongoing.
Furthermore, an appraisal well was drilled on licence PL122 Marulk, which led to the discovery of further gas volumes. The development potential of Marulk is still being appraised, and will depend, among other things, on whether a commercially satisfactory gas transportation solution can be found.
Moreover, a well on PL159B in a deeper exploration target indicated further reserves in the Alve field. Three exploration wells, PL019B Gyda, PL273 Trane and PL289 Marsvin, were dry.
On the Danish continental shelf, the focus is on the exploration areas near the existing operations in order to utilise the infrastructure already in place.
An exploration well in the western part of licence 6/95 Siri was dry. An appraisal well in the southern part of licence 7/89 Syd Arne indicated hydrocarbons, but these are currently not believed to be sufficient for commercial production. The drilling of a well on licence 9/95 has commenced and is ongoing.
Seismic data collected in Greenland in 2008 require appraisal. Great water depths and limited possibilities for year-round operation due to the climatic conditions mean that the time horizon for any finds and development of commercial production in this area will be long.