Rosneft and Statoil on Tuesday started exploration drilling at the Pingvin prospect in the Barents Sea, Rosneft says in a press release.
The first exploration well Pingvin-1, located in the production license PL713, is being drilled by the Transocean Spitsbergen rig.
RN Nordic Oil AS, a subsidiary of Rosneft, is partner in the project with Statoil as operator. Other partners are North Energy ASA and Edison International Norway Branch. The companies expect to analyze the drilling results until the end of 2014.
“The start of this exploration operation marks an important milestone in developing the cooperation between Rosneft and Statoil. The companies plan to implement their experience of exploration and development of hydrocarbon fields in regions with harsh climate,” Rosneft said in the press release.