Statoil was awarded two licences near the Faroe border and one licence, which covers parts of blocks 8/15 and 9/11D, close to the Statoil-operated Mariner heavy oil discovery.
The North Sea blocks 8/15 and 9/11D will capture any north westerly extension of its Mariner oil discovery, which Statoil is presently evaluating for development.
The other blocks will further strengthen the company’s position in the area between Statoil’s licences in the Faroes and the Rosebank field in UK waters, where Statoil is a partner in the Chevron operated field.
The company stated that the requirement for the acreage near Mariner are 2D seismic survey and evaluation prior to a drill or drop decision, while for the Faroes/Rosebank blocks a drill or drop decision has do be made after reprocessing of existing 2D seismic.
Statoil president for global exploration Tim Dodson said that the company is pleased to secure this new Statoil operated acreage in the UK.
