Offshore staff

STAVANGER, Norway -- The Polar Pioneer finished its 10-well drilling program on Snohvit field, Barents Sea, for Statoil, and moved to Tornerose to drill an exploration well.

The drilling program was nine production wells and one carbon dioxide injection well.

The rig was modified prior to drilling to meet the environmental requirements for Barents Sea drilling.

"The drilling campaign has on the whole been a success, and the wells have been drilled with great precision in terms of reservoir drainage," says Thor Bensvik, drilling and well manager for the Snøhvit project.

"We have drilled a total of 10 wells without any harmful discharges to the sea and within the original budget and schedule."

8/10/06