Big field found in Barents Sea?
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate in early March this year announced that StatoilHydro has made a finding of oil and gas in the Obesum field in the Barents Sea. Now, speculations indicate that the field is big.
According to newspaper Dagens Næringsliv, the finding at Obesum has spurred enthusiasm in StatoilHydro. Officially, however, the energy company downplays expectations surrounding the field. The Obesum is located 175 km northwest of the Norwegian town of Hammerfest in an area without previous drilling. The finding was made at 365 meter depths by the Polar Pioneer rig. Oil companies have requested Norwegian authorities to issue 129 exploration licenses in the Barents Sea. A 20th round on license tenders will be held in the course of the year.