By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Nov. 28 -- Statoil ASA is conducting an inquiry into the cause of an oil discharge Nov. 23 observed near the Transocean Arctic semisubmersible, which is drilling in Statoil-operated Norne field satellites in the Norwegian Sea.
Statoil said the discharge might have resulted during a facilities shutdown for modifications to the Norne production ship, which will accommodate production from the Svale and Stær satellites. Satellite development involves drilling eight wells that will be tied back to the production ship (OGJ Online, July 15, 2004).
The Norne production vessel will not resume production after completion of the modifications until the cause is found for the spill.
The discharge, estimated at about 280 bbl of oil, is dissolving and poses little threat to the Norwegian coastline, Statoil said.
