StatoilHydro has received consent to conduct exploration drilling in the Norwegian Sea with the semisubmersible drilling rig Ocean Vanguard.

The consent relates to the drilling of exploration well 6407/6-7 S, as well as the potential drilling of a sidetrack, 6-7 A.

The well is part of production license 312 and has the following geographical coordinates:

N 64 degrees 33' 53.1", E 07 degrees 40' 27.1". Water depth at the site is 247 meters, and the shortest distance to land (Froya and Fron) is 90 kilometers.

The plan is to commence drilling at the beginning of March 2009. The drilling activity is expected to have a duration of 55 days.

Operated by Diamond Offshore, the Ocean Vanguard (formerly the West Vanguard) is a Bingo 3000-type drilling facility that was commissioned in 1982 at Trosvik Verksted AS. The semisub has subsequently undergone a number of upgrades, and is classified by DnV.

Tags: Petroleum Safety Authority, StatoilHydro