STATOIL says it is ready for the next phase of exploration in the Barents Sea. The Norwegian group claims that its oil spill response capability is up to scratch and performs “as planned”.
Three operators, Statoil, Eni and Lundin, together with NOFO (Norwegian Clean Seas Association for Operating Companies) and local task forces jointly planned and carried out an oil spill response drill on Sørøya in West Finnmark.
Statoil says it is very experienced when it comes to exploration in the Barents Sea and that it was important to test emergency response plans before embarking on the new campaign alongside Eni and Lundin.
In addition to NOFO’s four ocean-going collection systems, comprising 11 vessels with containment booms and collection devices, the Norwegian Coastal Administration and intermunicipal oil spill protection agency in Mid and North Troms have supplied personnel and resources to cope with an incident, should there be one.
A four-well exploration campaign is planned in the Norwegian sector of the Barents. Eni will drill the first; Statoil will then drill two wells and Lundin one. The four targets are Skrugard, Skalle, Alke and Krykkje.
These are the first exploration wells to be drilled in the Barents Sea since 2008. The semisubmersible drilling rig Polar Pioneer will be used on all of them.