A/S Norske Shell has contracted WesternGeco to acquire 3-D seismic data in PL 326 in the Norwegian Sea's Vøring Basin.

"Norske Shell and our partner, Statoil, are eager to get on with the exploration activities in the license and wish to acquire the first data within two months of the license award to rapidly improve our understanding of the prospectivity of PL 326," Christian Bukovics, exploration manager for Norske Shell, says.

PL 326 lies in an area of the Norwegian Sea where water depths exceed 1,000 m. The license contains large, but high-risk prospects. Data acquisition objectives are to better understand reservoir distribution and presence.

Scott Jones, chief geophysicist, says, "WesternGeco is providing theWestern Pride for this acquisition, a Q Marine vessel deploying unique seismic sensing equipment. This survey technique, will deliver improved data quality and thereby allow us to better resolve the rock layers in the subsurface."

"We look forward to start evaluating the data," says Bukovics, who expects work to begin later in the fall.

A/S Norske Shell holds 60% interest in PL 326. Statoil ASA holds the remaining 40%.

8/6/04