By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, May 16 -- Exploration extension drilling in Alve field in the Norwegian Sea confirmed natural gas and condensate in a reservoir deeper in mid-Jurassic sandstone than was previously known.

Operator StatoilHydro said a thin oil zone also was proved below the gas. Well 6507/3-5S was drilled to 3,834 m subsea in 368 m of water. The well will be temporarily plugged.

Based on a preliminary estimate, the discovery includes 3-5 billion cu m of gas, StatoilHydro said.

Alve field was proved in 1990 in Production License 159B (Jan. 19, 2007, Newsletter).