By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Jan. 20 -- Statoil ASA plans to drill 30-40 exploration wells in 2006, of which half will be on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) and the other half will be abroad.
Long-term contracts for exploration rigs will allow increased drilling this year compared with last year, said Tim Dodson, senior vice-president for NCS exploration. Due to the increased activity, Statoil has recruited about 100 new employees.
"Finding hydrocarbons on the NCS is becoming more and more demanding," Dodson said. Success requires "able employees and hard work over a long period."
Statoil operates licenses in Algeria, Venezuela, and the Faroe Islands and plans to drill in these countries in 2006.
