Norway’s energy champ StatoilHydro has claimed another gas discovery in the Norwegian Sea, this time at the Noatun prospect in the Norwegian Sea. The find raises the count of discoveries off Norway this year to some 22 and four for the state income earner since July 1st.

Exploration well 6407/7-8 near the Njord field proved gas and light oil in reservoir rock of the Jurassic age. The size of the discovery was not clear after a mere formation test and sampling — normally enough for reserves announcement — so, a sidetrack will be drilled.

The semi-submersible drilling facility West Alpha made the discovery in 290-metre water depths some 16 kilometres north of Njord.

Partners in production licence PL 107 are operator StatoilHydro with 20 percent, E.ON Ruhrgas (30 percent), ExxonMobil (20 percent), Gaz de France (20 percent), Petoro (7.5 percent) and Endeavour Energy (2.5 percent).

Tags: E.ON Ruhrgas AG, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Gaz de France, Petoro, StatoilHydro