A total of 15 exploration and appraisal wells are due to be drilled by Statoil as operator during 1998 - a one-well increase from the year before.
The group is spending some NOK 1.5 billion on exploration drilling in its own and partner-operated licences. This year's exploration wells have largely been drilled from fixed installations rather than mobile rigs, and most are located in the North Sea near existing fields. A total of nine wells have so far been completed, with another six due to be drilled this year. Statoil has drilled six to 15 exploration and appraisal wells per year as operator since 1992. In addition come 16-31 partner-operated wells annually on the Norwegian continental shelf.