Jun. 2013 - Statoil, operator of the Johan Castberg discovery (formerly Skrugard) in the Barents Sea, has recommended a delay of the investment decision due, in part, to uncertainties related to resource estimates. In addition, the Norwegian government recently proposed reduced uplift in the petroleum tax system which reduces the attractiveness of developing marginal fields or those that require new infrastructure. Currently, Statoil and its partners are carrying out an exploratory drilling program in the area in an effort to prove additional resources that will serve to strengthen a potential development. Johan Castberg consists of the Skurgard and Havis discoveries which are estimated to contain combined volumes of 400 to 600 million barrels.

Feb. 2013 - A field development concept has been chosen by the partners of the Skrugard field. Statoil, Eni and Petoro have decided that oil from the Havis and Skrugard fields will be processed by a semisub floating production unit in 1,246 feet of water. Processed oil will be sent via a 170-mile pipeline to a shore-based oil terminal at Veidnes, Norway. It is estimated that production levels from the development could reach 200,000 boepd. The Skrugard and Havis fields are independent structures located in the same license and were discovered in 2011 and 2012 respectively. A Plan of Development is expected to be submitted in 2014 with first oil to follow in 2018.

Jun. 2012 - Statoil has awarded Aker Solutions early phase studies for several major discoveries on the Norwegian Continental Shelf including Skrugard, Havis and Johan Sverdrup. Aker Solutions will perform a concept study for the Skrugard and Havis fields, as one of several vendors. The two fields, which are located only 4 miles (7 kilometers) apart, will be developed as a joint solution. The work on the Johan Sverdrup field development is a feasibility and screening study. The concept study for the Skrugard and Havis development will be executed by Aker Solutions in Oslo, with participation from its new engineering office in Tromso. As a part of the concept study for the Skrugard and Havis fields, Aker Solutions will on behalf of Statoil perform a screening of potential scope to be performed by local suppliers in the northern regions for the developments ahead. The screening will be led by the Tromso office.

Mar. 2012 - Statoil has awarded Sevan Marine a study of the potential application of a Sevan FPSO for the company’s Skrugard/Havis development in the Barents Sea. The study will be performed from April 2012 to May 2013 and will be focused on further development of the Sevan FPSO as basis for future preferred concept.

Mar. 2012 - Statoil is in the process of concluding the drilling of appraisal well 7220/5-1 on the 7220/8-1 (Skrugard) gas/oil discovery. The discovery was proven in 2011 in Middle and Lower Jurassic reservoir rocks. The objectives of the appraisal well were to confirm the previous volume estimate for the Skrugard discovery and to collect reservoir and overburden data for field development planning. Both objectives have been met, said Statoil. Drilled by Transocean Barents (DW semisub), appraisal well 7220/5-1 has proven a gas column of 85 feet (26 meters) overlaying an oil column of about 158 feet (48 meters). Both column heights and reservoir properties came in as expected. This confirms the previous volume estimate for the Skrugard discovery and the total resource estimate for the Skrugard and Havis structures ranging from 400 to 600 million barrels of recoverable oil. Statoil is currently considering several alternative development concepts for the discovery.

Jan. 2012 - Statoil has made a substantial oil discovery at the Havis prospect in Production License 532 in the Barents Sea. Well 7220/7-1, drilled by the Transocean Barents (UDW semisub), proved a 157-foot (48-meter) gas column and a 420-foot (128-meter) oil column. The operator estimates that the volumes in Havis are between 200 to 300 bbl of recoverable oil equivalents. The well reached a vertical depth of 7,218 feet (2,200 meters) in a water depth of 1,198 feet (365 meters). Statoil serves as the operator of PL 532 with a 50 percent stake; while Eni holds 30 percent and Petoro holds 20 percent.

Dec. 2011 - Statoil and partners are considering developing the Skrugard discovery in the Barents Sea by a floating production unit with additional capacity to process and transport from other prospects in the vicinity. Statoil says a feasibility study has identified a technical and commercial solution for Skugard, resulting in the rapid development of the discovery. The production unit will have separate oil and storage and offloading capability with a production capacity of 95,000 bopd. The field development calls for 14 oil producers and pressure support will be provided via injection wells for water and gas. Skugard is estimated to hold around 250 MMbbl of recoverable oil equivalents, with a considerable upside potential. Statoil plans to drill an exploration well on Havis, a prospect located roughly five kilometers from the Skrugard discovery, but within the same license. After drilling the Havis well, the rig will drill an appraisal well on Skrugard. Skrugard is located in Production License 532, which Statoil operates, holding a 50 percent interest. Partners in the license include Eni Norge (30 percent) and Petoro (20 percent).

Dec. 2011 - The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has granted Statoil a drilling permit for wellbore 7220/7-1 in the Barents Sea. The Aker Barents (UDW semisub) will drill the well. The drilling program applies to the drilling of a wildcat well in Production License 532. Drilling will occur about 62 miles (100 kilometers) northwest of the Snohvit field. Statoil serves as the operator of the permit with a 50 percent interest. The other licensees are Eni (30 percent) and Petoro (20 percent).

Apr. 2011 - Statoil has made an oil discovery on well 7220/8-1 on the Skrugard prospect in the Barents Sea. The breakthrough discovery is believed to be one of the most important finds on the Norwegian Continental Shelf in the last decade, declared Statoil. Drilled by the Polar Pioneer semisub to a depth of 4,101 feet (1,250 meters), the well has proven a gas column of 108 feet (33 meters) and an oil column of 295 feet (90 meters). The estimated volume of the discovery is between 150 to 250 million recoverable barrels of oil equivalent; however Statoil believes there are opportunities for further upside in the license of up to 250 million barrels – potentially totaling 500 MMboe. Data was collected to better understand the reservoir properties. Statoil said that if the volume estimates are confirmed, then the Skrugard discovery could provide a basis for an independent development. Skrugard is located in Production License 532, which Statoil operates, holding a 50% interest. Partners in the license include Eni Norge (30) and Petoro (20%).

Feb. 2011 - The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has granted Statoil Petroleum a drilling permit for wellbore 7220/8-1 using the Polar Pioneer semisub. The drilling program for well 7220/8-1 relates to drilling of a wildcat well in Production License 532. The production license consists of Blocks 7219/9, 7220/4, 7220/5, 7220/7 and 7220/8, and was awarded in the 20th licensing round. Statoil Petroleum operates the license, holding a 50% interest; Eni Norge holds 30%; and Petoro holds the remaining 20%.

Aug. 2010 - Statoil received consent to perform exploratory drilling of well 7220/8-1 using the Polar Pioneer semisub. Drilling is planned for the beginning of September and should last for about 36 days. The water depth of the area is 1,224 feet (373 meters).