Statoil has started seismic data gathering on its Gjallar North exploration prospect, awarded as part of Norway's 18th offshore licensing round.

Covering blocks 6705/8, 9, and 11, this production license in the northernmost Norwegian Sea is one of four operatorships gained by the group, which also secured holdings in five other licenses.

"We are getting to grips with our commitments as quickly as possible," Tor Fjæran, senior vice president for exploration on the Norwegian continental shelf, says. "Work is in full swing on fulfilling the programs we have accepted. That applies to everything from seismic shooting to drilling."

Statoil has chartered Ocean Rig'sEirik Raude drilling unit, which has worked under Arctic conditions off Canada and is now in Cuban waters.

The vessel will be moving to Norway to drill on the Troll field in the North Sea this autumn, before mobilizing to the Barents Sea for three wells in the winter.

The charter with Ocean Rig includes an option to use the rig on one of the company's 18th-round blocks, where drilling could begin next year.

07/13/04