Statoil gets approval for North Sea drilling, platform modifications

Dec. 12, 2014
Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) Norway has cleared Statoil to drill exploration well 30/11-11 in the Krafla prospect using the semisubmersible Transocean Leader.

Offshore staff

OSLO, Norway – Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) Norway has cleared Statoil to drill exploration well 30/11-11 in the Krafla prospect using the semisubmersible Transocean Leader.

The location is in block 30/11 in the northern Norwegian North Sea, 24 km (15 mi) southwest of the Oseberg Sør complex. Water depth is 106 m (348 ft).Drilling is expected to last for 67 days.

Another Statoil-contracted rig,Songa Trym, which had been suspended at a reduced day rate of $279,000, is now likely to resume operations on or around Jan. 1, 2015, according to owner Songa Offshore.

In the central Norwegian North Sea, PSA has also authorized Statoil’s planned modifications connected to theGina Krog field in blocks 15/5 and 15/6, 20 km (12.4 mi) northwest of the Sleipner A platform.

The field is being developed using a fixed integrated platform, with oil exported by tanker via a loading buoy and gas transported to Sleipner for processing and onward export through the Gassled system. Production is due to start in early 2017.

The consent concerns modifications to Sleipner A in connection with thenew pipeline from Gina Krog.  

12/12/2014