Russia’s Rosneft has announced that it has, together with Statoil, started exploration operations at the Pingvin prospect in the Norwegian section of the Barents Sea.
The first exploration well Pingvin-1, located in the production license PL713, is being drilled by the Transocean Spitsbergen rig.
The water depth is 422 meters and the drilling target total vertical depth (TVD) is 1,516 meters. The companies expect to analyze the drilling results until the end of 2014.
RN Nordic Oil AS is partner in the license (PL713) with Statoil (that is the operator), North Energy ASA and Edison International Norway Branch. RN Nordic Oil AS, a subsidiary of Rosneft, will be involved in the operations on the project.
“The start of this exploration operations marks an important milestone in developing the cooperation between Rosneft and Statoil. The companies plan to implement their experience of exploration and development of hydrocarbon fields in regions with harsh climate,” Rosneft said in a statement.
Related: Statoil gets consent for Pingvin well. Has to wait for oil layer nod