Apr. 2013 - Wintershall, operator of Norwegian license PL418, is close to completing the drilling of appraisal well 35/9-8 at its Skarfjell discovery. The well is located just over a mile north of discovery well 35/9-7 which was drilled in 2012. Well 35/9-8 encountered a gross oil column of 210 feet in the Heather formation with good reservoir quality. The oil/water contact was identified and a formation test was carried out over a 43-foot reservoir section. A production rate of 2,200 bopd and 1.9 MMcfd was achieved through a 24/64-inch choke. The license partners will now begin evaluating development options for the field.

Apr. 2012 - Wintershall has made an oil discovery at its Skarfjell prospect in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. The wildcat well 35/9-7 found Upper Jurassic reservoir sands of "good quality" containing light oil with "a significant oil column" said the firm. So far, Wintershall added, the resource is estimated to range between 60 million and 160 million barrels of recoverable oil, although commercial viability, as well as potential further upside, will need to be confirmed through appraisal drilling. The primary exploration target of well 35/9-7 was to prove hydrocarbons in the Upper Jurassic reservoir rocks. The well was drilled by the Songa Delta (mid-water semisub) in a water depth of 1,237 feet (377 meters) in PL 418.

Mar. 2012 - RWE Dea has entered into an agreement with Wintershall to acquire 10 percent equity in Production License 418 in the North Sea. The first well (35/9-7) in PL 418 will test the hydrocarbon potential of the Skarfjell prospect. Under the new interest holders, Wintershall will hold a 35 percent operating interest. Partners will include Bayerngas (20%), Agora (20%), Edison (15%) and RWE Dea (10%).

Feb. 2012 - Wintershall Norge has received consent to carry out exploratory drilling in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea using the Songa Delta (mid-water semisub). The consent relates to the drilling of exploration well 35/9-7 which belongs to production license 418, at which Wintershall acts as operator. Water depth of the site is 1,237 feet (377 meters). Drilling operations should last about 48 to 60 days, depending on whether a discovery is made.