THE Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has approved Eni’s planned wildcat exploration well on block 7120/12 in the Norwegian sector of the Barents Sea.
The NPD said Eni will drill well 7120/12-5 on the Alke prospect with the semi-submersible drilling rig Polar Pioneer at a site about 35 miles (50km) from the Goliat field and 50 miles (78km) from shore at Soroya.
It will be the first well drilled in the license area and is permitted conditionally upon the operator obtaining all other necessary permits and consents from other authorities before the drilling activity starts.
This is also the first of four exploration wells to be drilled by Eni, Statoil, and Lundin Petroleum in the Barents Sea in a rig-share programme with the Polar Pioneer. Eni will be drilling one well, Statoil two wells, and Lundin one well.
Eni is the operator with a 40% interest in block 7120/12 in partnership with Statoil holding 40% and Petoro with 20%.