PSA Norway approves wells by Marathon, Det Norske

The Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) Norway recently approved Marathon Petroleum to conduct exploration drilling in the central North Sea, and Det Norske Oljeselskap ASA to install casing anchor nodes (CANs), conductor casing and a wellhead protection structure, and then to drill an exploration well at the location.

Marathon will use the semisubmersible Transocean Winner to drill well 24/9-10 S. Marathon plans to drill directionally and, depending on the result, a sidetrack, according to PSA Norway. The well, in water depths of about 120 m, is located about 120 nautical miles west of Stavanger. Drilling was planned to begin in October and take 26-41 days, depending on the sidetrack.

Det Norske will first use Iceland Offshore Management’s Iceland Enforcer to install CANs, conductor casing and wellhead protection. The Aker Barents semi will drill 6305/9-2. The plan is to start drilling in November 2010. The well is located about 115 nautical miles north of Kristiansund and about 20 nautical miles southeast of the Heidrun field.