Statoil will complete the drilling of the Pingvin prospect in exploration well 7319/12-1 in the Norwegian Barents Sea, says partner on the well North Energy.
The well identified gas in a sandstone reservoir.
The well acquired extensive data through coring, wireline logging and liquid sampling. Updated information from the well will be provided when the analyses are completed.
Statoil and partner RN Nordic Oil, a Rosneft subsidiary, began exploration drilling in August.
After drilling started in August, it was halted because of an appeal against its environmental permit, North Energy said.
After receiving permission from the Norwegian Environment Agency earlier this month, Statoil resumed drilling operations at the oil-bearing strata in the exploration well 7319/12-1 Pingvin.
The top hole was drilled using the Trasnocean Spitsbergen semisubmersible drilling rig.
According to North Energy, Pingvin could contain 2-300MMboe and could have the same hydrocarbon source as Johan Castberg.
Statoil is the operator and holds a 40% interest with partners RN Nordic Oil (20%), Edison (20%) and North Energy (20%).
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