Statoil Plans to Start Drilling in Great Australian Bight
Norwegian Statoil has been granted regulatory approval to take over two exploration permits and extend its work program in the Great Australian Bight following a swap agreement with BP, it said June 8.
The two parties signed a swap deal covering four offshore petroleum titles, Statoil said.
In offshore exploration permits EPP37 and EPP38 Statoil has transferred its 30% equity interest to BP and exited the licences. While in offshore exploration permit EPP39 and EPP40 BP has transferred its 70% equity interest to Statoil and exited the licences. Statoil consequently holds 100% equity interest.
Great Australian Bight map (Credit: Statoil)
The National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator has approved the transfers and Statoil is now operator of EPP 39 and EPP40. Statoil has also been granted a suspension and extension of the work commitments in EPP39 and EPP40. The approved extension includes the drilling of one exploration well in EPP39 before October 30, 2019.
Statoil said it has mapped a number of prospects in its licence area, including the Stromlo-1 well candidate in EPP39.
“We will now take the necessary time to systematically work through all the preparations needed to drill safely. While we are building on the previous work done in these licences, our operational plans will have to be redeveloped," Statoil's Australian manager, Jacques-Etienne Michel said.
“In the end, it will be up to the Australian regulatory authorities to grant the necessary approvals for the activity to go ahead. Over the coming months, we will engage in dialogue with a wide range of stakeholders, including the South Australian community,” he said.
Shardul Sharma