Talisman comes up dry near Varg

Norway

STAVANGER, May 20, 2015 – Canadian oil explorer Talisman Energy has drilled a dry well north of the Varg field in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate said on Wednesday.

Wildcat well 15/12-24 S in licence 672 was drilled in the central part of the North Sea about six kilometres north of the Varg field, and 220 kilometres southwest of Stavanger. The well was drilled to vertical and measured depths of 3,136 and 3,141 metres below sea level, respectively. It will now be plugged and abandoned.

Other partners include Ithaca Petroleum Norway, Det norske and Fortis Petroleum, each with a 25 percent stake. This is the first exploration well in the production licence, which was awarded 2012.

Earlier this month, Talisman was acquired by Spain’s Repsol in a deal worth $8.3 billion.