Statoil has been awarded operatorship of three new exploration licenses on the UK continental shelf (UKCS).

Statoil was awarded one licence which covers parts of blocks 8/15 and 9/11D, close to the Statoil-operated Mariner heavy oil discovery, and two licences near the Faroe border.

“We are very pleased to secure this new Statoil operated acreage in the UK,” says senior vice president for global exploration Tim Dodson.

“The North Sea blocks 8/15 and 9/11D will capture any north westerly extension of our Mariner oil discovery which Statoil is presently evaluating for development,” he says.

“The other blocks will further strengthen our position in the area between Statoil’s licences in the Faroes and the Rosebank field in UK waters, where Statoil is a partner in the Chevron operated field.

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The requirement for the acreage near Mariner are 2D seismic survey and evaluation prior to a drill or drop decision, while for the Faroes/Rosebank blocks a drill or drop decision has do be made after reprocessing of existing 2D seismic.

(Statoil Press Release)