The partners in the Statoil-operated Vigdis licence in the North Sea are investing NOK 1.2 billion to improve oil and gas recovery in the area.
"Phase two of the Vigdis extension project is an important improved oil recovery (IOR) initiative for the Vigdis field," says project manager Paul Struijk. "With this project, the recovery factor from the Vigdis East reservoir will increase from 29 to 42 per cent."
Plans call for a four-slot template to be installed on the field and, in accordance with the project's framework, one oil production well and and one water injection well will be drilled.
The two vacant slots provide flexibility to further improve the recovery factor from Vigdis East, or to explore and produce from other nearby prospects at a later date.
The new template will be tied back to existing seabed templates on the Vigdis field. The project requires no new technology. Nor will it be necessary to modify the process plant on the Snorre A platform, where the Vigdis oil is treated.
The template is due to be installed, and pipes and umbilicals connected up, this autumn. The first well will be drilled in the spring of 2007, with a view to starting production in the summer.
"The biggest challenge for the project in terms of health, safety and the environment is the tight schedule in a period of high activity in the market and the heavy workload, for both Statoil and our suppliers," explains Mr Struijk.
The project is covered by the existing plan for development and operation from 2002 and the impact assessment for Vigdis extension.
The partners in the Vigdis licence are Petoro with 30 per cent, Statoil 28.22 per cent, Hydro 13.28 per cent, ExxonMobil 10.50 per cent, Idemitsu 9.60 per cent, Total 5.60 per cent og RWE Dea 2.80 per cent.