Statoil Gets Permission to Drill Near Snohvit Field, Offshore Norway

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has granted Statoil Petroleum AS a drilling permit for wellbore 7220/8-1, cf. Section 8 of the Resource Management Regulations.

Well 7220/8-1 will be drilled from the drilling facility Polar Pioneer at position 72o 29` 28.92″ north and 20o 20´ 02.25″ east.

The drilling program for well 7220/8-1 relates to drilling of a wildcat well in production licence 532. Statoil Petroleum AS is the operator with 50 per cent ownership interest. The other licensees are Eni Norge AS with 30 per cent and Petoro AS with 20 per cent.

Well 7220/8-1 is located approximately 100 kilometres northwest of the Snøhvit field. The production licence consists of the blocks 7219/9, 7220/4, 7220/5, 7220/7 and 7220/8, and was awarded in the 20th licensing round.

Wildcat well 7220/8-1 is the first exploration well in production licence 532.

The permit is contingent on the operator securing all other permits and consents required by other authorities before the drilling activity commences.

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Source:NPD, February 3, 2011; Image: Ptil