The Norwegian
Statoil and the Russian Rosneft might carry out their first joint drillhole in 2016.
“Preparations
for the operations are ongoing”, a representative of the customs authorities in
Magadan confirms. The area in question is the northern part of the Sea of
Okhotsk, the Russian far east, a part of the comprehensive cooperation
agreement between the two companies.
According
to the local customs official, the two companies have already settled issues
related to the operatorship of the project, newspaper Vedomosti reports with
referance to Interfax.
At the
same time, Rosneft confirms that it this year has conducted comprehensive
research in the Perseevsky license area in the Barents Sea. During a recent
research expedition to the area, as well as to other Arctic license areas, a
wide range of research operations were made.
Barents cooperation
Rosneft
and Statoil in 2012 signed the cooperation agreement which includes exploration
and well drilling in the Barents Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk. In both areas,
Statoil will cover costs for exploration and drilling. The agreement includes
three blocks in the far east and one, the Perseevsky area, in the Barents Sea.
Joint
ventures are to be established, of which Rosneft holds 66,67 percent and
Statoil 33,33 percent. Needed investments in the project amount to about $40
billion, Rosneft says.
According
to the cooperation agreement, a total of six wells are to be drilled in the
period 2016-2021.
Source: 18 Jun
2015, Barents Observer by Atle Staalesen.
