HOUSTON, TEXAS (By Editors at Energy Analytics Institute, 30.Jun.2025, Words: 392) — Equinor struck oil in exploration well 7720/7-DD-1H, Drivis Tubåen, on the Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea.
Drivis Tubåen is the 14th exploration well in production license 532. The license was awarded in the 20th licensing round in 2009.
The well was drilled in the Drivis structure on the Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea. According to preliminary estimates the size of the find is 9-15 million barrels of oil, Equinor reported on 30 Jun. 2025 in an official statement.
“Only a short time after Johan Castberg came on stream and is producing at full capacity, we have made a new discovery that can provide additional reserves for the field. The Johan Castberg volume base was originally estimated at 450–650 million barrels, our clear ambition is to increase the reserves by a another 250–550 million barrels. To realize this, we are planning six new IOR (increased oil recovery) wells and continuous exploration activity. At the same time, we will develop Isflak as a rapid field expansion with planned start-up in 2028,” Equinor senior vice president for exploration & production north Grete Birgitte Haaland said in the statement.
The oil was proven in a new segment called the Tubåen formation 1,769m below the seabed in 345m of water. The well was drilled by the Transocean Enabler drilling rig as an exploratory extension from a production well. The licensees will consider tie-in of the discovery to the Johan Castberg field.
Transocean Enabler is now continuing drilling operations on the Johan Castberg field in production license 532 for Equinor.
Partners in the Johan Castberg license include Equinor (operator, 46.3% WI), Vår Energi (30% WI) and Petoro (23.7% WI).
The Barents Sea is the least explored ocean area on the Norwegian continental shelf. With the Johan Castberg’s production facilities in place, it becomes more attractive to explore the neighboring areas. Going forward, two rigs will drill both production wells and new exploration wells in the areas around Johan Castberg and Goliat. Equinor will drill 1-2 exploration wells annually around Johan Castberg.
On 17 Jun. 2025, the field reached a plateau and is now producing about 220,000 barrels of oil per day. Every 3-4 days, a loaded tanker now departs from Johan Castberg.
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By Editors at Energy Analytics Institute. © 2025 Energy Analytics Institute (EAI). All Rights Reserved.
