Var Energi Announces New Gas and Condensate Discovery
Var Energi has disclosed a significant gas and condensate discovery at the Vidsyn exploration well, located near its Fenja field in the Norwegian Sea. According to the announcement on the company’s website, this find was made on the Vidsyn ridge, which is estimated to potentially contain as much as 100 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe) in total. The company further indicated that the Vidsyn well confirms recoverable resources are estimated to be between 25 to 40 mmboe gross.
Plans for Appraisal and Development
In the statement, Var Energi mentioned plans to assess the remaining potential of the ridge through an appraisal program aimed at expediting development. The well was noted to have encountered high-quality reservoirs, with over 200 meters of hydrocarbon column. This discovery is strategically located updip from a prior exploration well, reinforcing its commercial viability and supporting further evaluations of the larger Vidsyn ridge.
Proximity to Existing Infrastructure
Var Energi highlighted that the reservoir is rich in high-quality gas-condensate, positioned just eight kilometers from the established Fenja subsea infrastructure, which is already integrated with the Njord host facility. This proximity is crucial for efficient development and transport of resources.
Third Commercial Discovery of 2025
The announcement emphasized that this is Var Energi’s third commercial discovery in 2025 and that it will be considered for a potential tie-in with Fenja. Luca Dragonetti, Senior Vice President of Exploration at Var Energi, expressed enthusiasm about the find, stating, “Vidsyn is an exciting discovery unlocking a much larger potential along the ridge in our operated Fenja area and adding high-value barrels to be developed leveraging existing infrastructure.”
Ongoing Exploration Efforts
Dragonetti also mentioned that the company is actively exploring the region and is in the process of developing new prospects. The Vidsyn discovery is a result of Var Energi’s disciplined exploration strategy, which focuses on maximizing value by utilizing existing infrastructure.
Partner Confirmation of the Discovery
DNO ASA, Var’s partner in the discovery, has also confirmed the gas and condensate find at Vidsyn. In their statement, preliminary estimates suggested gross recoverable resources ranging from 25 to 40 mmboe, with a mean estimate of 31 mmboe, which exceeds initial pre-drill estimates. The discovery is associated with Middle Jurassic high-quality reservoir sandstones of the Ile formation.
Future Production Plans
DNO Executive Chairman Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani remarked on the significance of the Vidsyn discovery, calling it an exciting addition to their portfolio of discoveries in Norway. He expressed commitment to collaborating with Var Energi to accelerate its production timeline compared to the typical pace in Norway.
Ownership and Recent Acquisitions
Since re-entering Norway in 2017, DNO has been involved in over a dozen discoveries on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, three of which were under permits operated by the company. Var Energi holds a 75 percent operated interest in the Vidsyn find, while DNO’s stake has increased to 25 percent following the recent acquisition of Sval Energi Group AS.
Details from the Norwegian Offshore Directorate
A statement from the Norwegian Offshore Directorate confirmed the gas and condensate discovery at the Vidsyn prospect, noting that this well was the eighth wildcat well drilled in production license 856, executed by the Deepsea Yantai rig. Extensive data collection and sampling were performed during the drilling process, which reached a vertical depth of 3,857 meters below sea level. The well was concluded in the Åre Formation from the Late Triassic period, with the water depth at the site measuring 310 meters. Plans are in place for the well to be permanently plugged and abandoned.
