A new appraisal well at the Afrodite gas discovery near Norway’s Kvitebjørn field has revealed potentially more than double the previously estimated recoverable gas volumes, strengthening the prospect’s commercial potential.

Recoverable gas and condensate resources are now estimated at between 77 million and 180 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe).

Total reservoir volumes are approximately three times higher, although geological characteristics mean only a portion of the resources can be recovered.

"To find such large gas volumes in a mature area on the Norwegian continental shelf is very good. We have long had faith in the Afrodite discovery, and this appraisal well has uncovered volumes far above expectations," says Kjetil Hove, Equinor's executive vice president for Exploration & Production Norway.

Discovered in 2008, Afrodite contains gas in a reservoir with relatively low permeability, meaning gas flows slowly through the rock, making extraction challenging.

The latest appraisal results will undergo further analysis to assess the resource potential and development options.

"We are highly ambitious about exploration on the Norwegian continental shelf. Equinor strongly believes that there is still more to be discovered and is working purposefully to increase the likelihood of new and larger discoveries. The results at Afrodite show the potential that still exists in mature areas. At the same time, new discoveries in new exploration areas will be crucial for maintaining production from the Norwegian continental shelf and deliveries of energy to Europe," says Hove.

Equinor considers the discovery commercially viable and will continue assessing the possibility of developing the resources through a subsea tie-back to the Kvitebjørn platform.

If approved, the development could use existing infrastructure to transport gas to the Kollsnes processing plant in Øygarden before onward delivery to European markets.

The appraisal well was drilled by the Deepsea Yantai rig. Wellesley Petroleum operated the well, while Equinor is the operator of the production licence.

Afrodite discovery and appraisal details

Afrodite, located in production licence PL293, was discovered in 2008 by Eni Norway. Significantly increased resource volumes were established through the drilling of a branch well in autumn 2026.

An appraisal well is drilled following an initial discovery to gather additional information about the size, extent and geological characteristics of a reservoir.

Afrodite is classified as a High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) well. Its reservoir is also considered a tight formation, characterised by low permeability, which restricts gas flow and makes extraction more difficult.

The production licence is held by four companies, with Equinor holding the largest stake at 60 per cent, followed by ORLEN Upstream Norway AS with 25 per cent, DNO Norway AS with 10 per cent and Wellesley Petroleum AS with 5 per cent.

The latest findings highlight the remaining exploration potential of Norway’s mature offshore areas and could support additional gas supplies to Europe through existing North Sea infrastructure. -OGN/TradeArabia News Service