StatoilHydro has been granted consent to conduct exploration drilling of the wells 30/3-10S and sidetrack 30/3-10A with the West Alpha semisub.

The drilling activity is scheduled to start as soon as West Alpha has completed the drilling of exploration well 30/11-7. Estimated drilling start-up is mid-January 2009.

The wells 30/3-10 S and A are located seven kilometers southeast of Huldra, 11 kilometers east of Veslefrikk and approximately 150 kilometers west of Bergen.

The wells are part of production license 052 and have the following geographical coordinates: N 60 degrees 47' 43.5", E 02 degrees 41' 11.8". The water depth at the site is 122 meters.

The drilling activity is estimated to last 160 days.

West Alpha is an Ultra Yatzy drilling facility, built in 1986. The facility has been modified several times and is registered in Panama with Det norske Veritas as the classification society.

West Alpha is operated by Seadrill, with an operations office in Stavanger. The installation received an Acknowledgement of Compliance in December 2001.

Tags: StatoilHydro