StatoilHydro has acquired stakes in 50 DeSoto Canyon blocks
2009.04.14 -
Field Development
“DeSoto Canyon is a mostly unexplored region in the eastern part of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Obtaining early access to new plays is regarded by the company as key to our success,” says StatoilHydro vice president of exploration for North America, Tony Dore.
“We did a similar early access deal with ExxonMobil in 2005 in the Walker Ridge Area of Central GoM. We believe that through a close cooperation with BHP Billiton we can mature high quality prospects,” he adds.
DeSoto Canyon is located east of StatoilHydro’s current production operation at Independence Hub. The area has water depths of about 1,000 metres.
StatoilHydro and BHP Billiton bid at the recent OCS Central Lease Sale 208 on 14 additional blocks within the trend, and together the two companies were the apparent high bidder on all blocks.
The issuance of leases on these 14 blocks is subject to the Minerals Management Service’s final approval.
PA Resources AB has signed an agreement with the shareholders to acquire the entire share capital of the British oil exploration company Scotsdale Ltd. The company is focusing on low risk exploration in North West Europe. The acquisition means that PA Resources increases its presence in the North Sea with licenses in the United Kingdom and Denmark, and potentially also in the Netherlands.
Aker Exploration has entered into agreements with the international oil company Eni Norge to acquire ownership interests in two licenses in the vicinity of the Åsgard field. The agreements further strengthen Aker Exploration’s position in the Norwegian Sea.
SCAN Geophysical ASA (SCAN) today announced that the company is
remobilising its seismic vessel, M/V Geo Searcher, to re-commence a previously-suspended
2D project offshore Pakistan for BP.
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has granted ENI Norge AS a drilling permit for wellbore 34/12-1 in the North Sea.
Eni has successfully drilled the last appraisal well, encountered approximately 127 metres (419 ft) of net pay in multiple sands. The initial analysis indicates good reservoir quality.
