Statoil has received consent for exploration drilling using the Transocean Spitsbergen semi-submersible drilling rig to drill well 7319/12-1 Pingvin in production licence 713, in the Barents Sea.
The well is in the Barents Sea, around 296 km from Hammerfest. Water depth at the site is approx. 422 metres.
Drilling is planned to begin in August 2014, with a duration of around 28 days, depending on whether a discovery is made.
In its decision to grant permission under the Pollution Act, the Norwegian Environment Agency has determined that Statoil may not drill in oil-bearing strata before 5 September 2014. This condition has been set to allow for appeals before the riskiest part of the operation gets under way.
Transocean Spitsbergen is a semi-submersible drilling rig of the Aker H-6e type. It was built at the Aker Stord yard, and it is registered in the Bahamas and classified by DnV.
The facility received Acknowledgement of Compliance (AoC) in October 2012.