Offshore staff

OSLO, Norway -- Norway's Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has given Norsk Hydro permission to drill a wildcat in the Barents Sea. The semisubmersible Polar Pioneer will drill well 7125/4-1 in Production License 393.

The permit area, awarded earlier this year under Norway's 19th Licensing Round, covers two blocks north-east of Eni's undeveloped Goliat discovery. The rig is currently drilling another well for Eni nearby, in block 7122/7.

12-14-06