Eni has been awarded a 431 sq km license just east of company operated Goliat oil field in the Barents Sea offshore Norway.
Proximity of the PL657 block to Goliat would minimize time to market if hydrocarbons can be discovered in the new area, which is in 400-450 m of water, Eni noted. PL657 interests are Eni operator with 80% and Petoro ASA 20%.
Eni plans to start the first Barents Sea oil production from Goliat in 2013 (OGJ Online, June 22, 2011). The company is the only partner with Statoil ASA involved in the recent commercial oil discoveries at Skrugard and Havis.
Eni produces 135,000 b/d of oil equivalent on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, where it has been active since 1965.
