A pair of discoveries in the Greater Gjøa Area in the Norwegian North Sea could lead to fast-track development, Neptune Energy said Dec. 12.

Neptune Energy, which operates PL 929, announced the 35/6-4 ST2 Ofelia appraisal well in the Agat formation confirmed estimated recoverable volumes of 16 MMboe to 33 MMboe. Ofelia Agat was initially reported as a discovery in August 2023, and at the time, partners said the field could be a tieback to the Gjøa platform.

Along with confirmation of the Ofelia Agat well, Neptune found gas with the 35/6-4 A sidetrack into the Kyrre prospect. Neptune estimates Kyrre holds 11 MMboe to 19 MMboe recoverable gas resources.

“The reservoir quality in the Kyrre discovery is very good, which allows for high production rates. We are preparing for several other exciting exploration opportunities in the area, such as the Cerisa well early next year,” Steinar Meland, Neptune’s director of exploration and development in Norway, said in a press release.

Kyrre and Ofelia Agat together contain an estimated 27 MMboe to 52 MMboe of recoverable reserves.

Odin Estensen, Neptune’s managing director for Norway and the U.K., said in a press release the results strengthen the understanding of the Greater Gjøa Area.

“The dual discoveries allow for a potential fast track, low cost and low carbon development,” Estensen said.

The discoveries, 23 km north of the Neptune-operated Gjøa platform, will be considered for development as tie-backs to Gjøa, Neptune said.

The Deepsea Yantai semisubmersible, owned by CIMC and operated by Odfjell Drilling, drilled the two wells.

Neptune said it will also evaluate whether its oil and gas discovery Gjøa Nord, or Hamlet find, which holds estimated recoverable volumes of 8 MMboe and 24 MMboe, can be jointly developed. 

Neptune operates PL 929 with 40% interest on behalf of partners Wintershall Dea with 20%, Pandion Energy with 20%, Aker BP with 10% and DNO with 10%.