Statoil to drill, complete wells using Polar Pioneer

The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) has granted Statoil consent for production drilling and completion on the Snøhvit field using the mobile rigPolar Pioneer.

Snøhvit consists of the three fields - Snøhvit, Albatross, and Askeladd, and is 140 km northwest of Hammerfest.

The participants in the eight production licenses in the area are Petoro AS, Total Norge AS, Gas de France Norge AS, Amerada Hess Norge AS, and RWE Dea Norge AS. Statoil is the operator.

Transocean Offshore operates thePolar Pioneer. The rig received the PSA's Acknowledgement of Compliance in May 2004.

Statoil plans to start production in September for drilling and completion of 10 wells.

07/12/04