Offshore staff
OSLO, Norway -- Total has won approval from the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate for exploration drilling in the Norwegian North Sea, and Statoil also has clearance for two wildcats in the sector.
The Ocean Vanguard, following servicing at the shipyard at Ågotnes outside Bergen, will drill well 25/5-7 for Total in production license 102. Total is the operator, in partnership with Det norske oljeselskap, Centrica Resources (Norge), and Petoro.
This is the first well to be drilled in the license, which was awarded in March 2009 as a supplement to Norway’s ninth licensing round. The area covers parts of block 25/5, and the well will be drilled just south of the Det norske-operated Frøy field in the central Norwegian North Sea.
NPD has authorized Statoil to drill well 35/1-2 S in PL 269, using the Transocean Leader, after the rig has completed drilling at Gudrun field. The well will be drilled 3 km (1.8 mi) southwest of Statoil’s Peon discovery. This license, awarded in 2001 (North Sea Awards 2000), consists of parts of block 35/1.
Statoil also has consent from Petroleum Safety Authority Norway for exploration drilling and an optional sidetrack at a location 17 km (10.6 mi) north of the Sleipner B platform in the North Sea, using the semisubmersible Ocean Vanguard.
The well will be drilled in PL 303, in a water depth of 115 m (377 ft), with an estimated duration of 79 days, including testing.
The earliest start-up date will be in October, after the rig has completed drilling its current exploration well 25/5-7. The earliest start-up date is in early October 2010.
08/30/2010
