Updated May 1, 2026.
NCS Exploration Drilling Updates – April 30, 2026👏. Since my last update, one (1) wildcat well has concluded drilling operations. Currently, one (1) appraisal well is being drilled on the NCS👏. Details..⤵️
➡️ Active Well –
– Well 35/10-16 S: Appraisal well for Carmen discovery well by Wellesley Petroleum in the Northern North Sea (PL 1148). Spud date – April 19 by Deepsea Yantai rig. Targets – Middle Jurassic Brent Group reservoirs and Lower Jurassic reservoirs (Cook Formation). Planned Content: Gas/Condensate👏. Likely objectives – Extent of pay / hydrocarbon column, reservoir quality and continuity… and better developed sands in Cook FM and Amundsen FM? Partner – DNO, Equinor, AkerBP👏
➡️ Drilling Results –
– Well 34/8-A-37 H: Equinor has concluded drilling of the Skoll and Hati prospects in the Northern North Sea – Tampen Spur area (PL 120). Spud date – Jan. 17 by Visund rig. Targets – Lower Jurassic and Upper Triassic reservoirs. The well was dry – with shows observed in the Upper Triassic Lunde Formation. Details – https://www.sodir.no/en/whats-new/news/exploration-drilling-results/2026/dry-well-in-the-north-sea-348-a-37-h/
➡️ Highlights / Comments:
– “Carmen” and “Norma” Appraisal Wells: “Carmen” appraisal is the first of two important appraisal wells to watch this year👏. In exploration, the importance of having a successful appraisal well cannot be overstated…what’s the point of having a discovery if you can’t back it up with a successful appraisal? The recent efforts by industry players on the NCS to reduce the gap time from discovery to development can also be linked to how quickly a successful appraisal can be drilled… and sometimes this requires a new 3D seismic dataset prior to drilling the appraisal (e.g. Norma Appraisal).👏
– Q1 Exploration Drilling: Q1-2026 drilling results were strongly positive with 6 discoveries being made in the Jurassic. “Sissel” discovery shows what is still possible in the South Viking Graben area for Upper to Middle Jurassic plays.👏 “Polynya-Tubåen” discovery is significant for hydrocarbon prospectivity in the wider Johan Castberg field area, and demonstrates the potential of the Early Jurassic play in the Bjørnøyrenna Fault Complex area of the Barents Sea.👏
– Deals: Japex Norge recently signed an agreement to acquire 20% interest in the Mistral licence (PL-1119) from OKEA.👏 The block contains the recent “Mistral Sør” gas/condensate discovery and is located in the Middle Jurassic play fairway.👏 The “Mistral Nord” prospect is being matured for drilling by early 2027👏. Partners on the block include – Equinor (operator), Inpex-Idemitsu Norge, and DNO Norge.
– APA 2026: The excitement is building for the upcoming APA 2026 licensing round👏… It was good to see some of the awarded licences in the North Sea Basin for the APA2025 award round. The Central Graben “comeback” was confirmed as DNO and AkerBP continued to build up acreage positions in the region (PL 1278, PL 1086 B, PL 1277 S).👏 For more details, check my article on the Central Graben / Southern North Sea, including some of the new and exciting plays in the area (shallow targets and Jurassic plays).👏 In the Norwegian Sea, 21 licences were awarded …with many of them located in my recommended focus areas / play areas.. – Vøring Basin, Møre Basin, and Slørebotn subbasin areas.👏
➡️ As always, contact me for details on – recommended plays and play areas, prospect critical work / reviews, identified lead opportunities, potential farm-in candidates, and well predictions …-
Email – consulting@ytfexploration.com.
Website – https://www.ytfexploration.com.
Images:
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Image Links: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4, Link 5, Link 6, Link 7, Link 8, Link 9, Link 10, Link 11.
Tags: NCS, Exploration, Wildcats, Appraisal wells, Drilling, Barents Sea, Prospect Reviews, Norwegian Continental Shelf, Jurassic plays, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, APA 2026, APA 2025, Licensing rounds, Central Graben, Prospectivity.
Get a copy – Exploration Drilling Updates – April 2026
Featured Image: Deepsea Yantai Rig (Source – Odfjell Drilling).
