The NPD confirmed on 27 April 2018 (with effect from 23 April 2018) that Statoil has acquired 40% interest in PL 762, PL 785 S, PL 872 and PL 893 from Fortis. PL 762, awarded in APA 2013, covers parts of blocks 6608/6, 6608/9, 6609/4 and 6609/7. It contains the 1983 dry hole 6609/7-1 drilled by Phillips. PL 785 S lies south of Troll and covers parts of blocks 31/11 and 26/2 (below Base Cretaceous). PL 872 is located adjacent to Skogul and covers part of block 25/1. PL 893 is located northeast of Skuld and covers parts of blocks 6608/9 and 6609/7.   Lime Petroleum, partner in PL 762, announced on 30 January 2018 that it is withdrawing from the licence. Its 20% interest will be sold to an as-yet unknown external third party. See separate article for more details.  Dry hole 6609/7-1, drilled by Phillips, was targeting hydrocarbons in the Upper Paleozoic but the Cretaceous Lange Formation sat directly upon the Zechstein Group, which in turn rested on metamorphic Basement. No sands were present in the Paleozoic and there were only traces of migrated hydrocarbons identified in cuttings from the Cretaceous section.   No wells have historically been drilled on the acreage covered by PL 785 S, PL 872 and PL 893.  Following completion of the deals interest in PL 762 is held by Statoil Petroleum AS (40%), Aker BP ASA (20% + operator), Lime Petroleum AS (20%) and Petoro AS (20%), interest in PL 785 S is split between Total E&P Norge AS (60% + operator) and Statoil Petroleum AS (40%), interest in PL 872 is divided between Aker BP ASA (40% + operator), Statoil Petroleum AS (40%) and MOL Norge AS (20%) and interest in PL 893 is held by Aker BP ASA (60% + operator) and Statoil Petroleum AS (40%).
Norway (Ras-Voring Sub-basin (Voring B.)) Skuld