By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Dec. 27 -- Statoil ASA, development operator of Gjøa oil and gas field off western Norway, has signed a 3-year contract with Transocean Offshore for the Transocean Searcher semisubmersible.
The $427 million contract allows for the drilling of 13 production wells, with options for an additional three, at the North Sea field. Drilling is planned to begin in October 2008.
Lying on Blocks 35/9 and 36/7 in 380 m of water, Gjøa is scheduled to come on stream in 2010 at which time Gaz de France will become operator with a 30% stake.
The field, proved in 1989, has estimated reserves of 40 billion cu m of gas and 83 million bbl of oil and condensate.
Statoil recently signed an agreement for the construction of the semisubmersible production platform deck and supply of subsea installations for Gjøa (OGJ Online, Dec. 6, 2006). The next major contract will be for building the platform's jacket, Statoil said.
Total investment for the Gjøa project is estimated at 27 billion kroner.
