North Sea, Barents Sea wells approved

Sept. 27, 2010
Wintershall Norge has been cleared to drill an exploration well in the northern Norwegian North Sea using the Songa Delta.

Offshore staff

OSLO, Norway -- Wintershall Norge has been cleared to drill an exploration well in the northern Norwegian North Sea using the Songa Delta.

The Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) approved the well (35/12-3 S) on production license 378, at a location 120 km (74.5 mi) northwest of Bergen and 24 km (14.9 mi) northeast of the Troll C platform. Drilling should get under way in October. The program could last up to 84 days in the event of a discovery, including testing and/or a sidetrack.

PSA also waived through Eni Norge’s request for exploration drilling in the Barents Sea with the Polar Pioneer.
The consent applies to well 7120/12-5 in PL 489, around 80 km (49.7 mi) northwest of Hammerfest. Drilling activity here should last around 57 days for a dry hole, but up to 73 days if a geological sidetrack is drilled.

09/27/2010