StatoilHydro has been given the green light to drill an appraisal well near the Sleipner field by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD).
Wellbore 15/5-7 will be drilled from the Transocean Winner rig and will be spudded following the completion of wildcat well 30/9-21.
StatoilHydro is the operator with a 78.2% stake and Total is a licensee with a 21.8% share. Block 15/5 is located immediately northwest of Sleipner in the middle of the North Sea.
Production Licence 048 was awarded in the third round in 1977 and this is the third well to be drilled in the Production Licence.