The Heilo exploration well, 7124/4 – 1S & A in production license 530, spudded today around noon.
Operator GDF SUEZ E&P Norge AS has commissioned the semi submersible drilling rig Aker Barents for the operation. Aker Barents reached its destination in the Barents Sea, 53 kilometers north-east of Hammerfest, on Thursday 16 September at noon, after a safe sailing from the Norwegian Sea. With the use of dynamic positioning the rig has stabilized its position and started the operation by spudding today.
The Heilo exploration well is planned to a depth of 2730 meters measured depth and is to be completed in November this year. This is the company’s first operated exploration well in the Barents Sea.
This milestone reflects GDF SUEZ’ long term focus in this area of the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The company was awarded an additional three operatorships in the Barents Sea in the 21st licensing round, making it the company awarded the largest number of operatorships after Statoil, and the foreign company awarded the most operatorships in the round.
The partners in Heilo PL530 are GDF SUEZ E&P Norge AS (operator, 30%), North Energy ASA (20%), Front Exploration (20%), Rocksource (20%) og Repsol Exploration Norge AS (10%).
[mappress] Source:GDF Suez ,September 16, 2011;