With plans to commission 65 development wells, CNOOC aims for a peak production of around 37,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) in 2024.

The approval is for drilling two observation wells at the Statfjord satellites area, specifically related to the Statfjord North field.

The farmout agreement, pending regulatory approval, marks SEEL’s debut in the UK carbon storage sector, joining CCL and license operator Perenco in a strategic decarbonization initiative.

The agreement also compels energy companies to adopt mitigation measures, including the detection and repair of methane leaks and restrictions on venting and flaring.

The drilling activities are scheduled to utilize the Deepsea Stavanger rig, a sixth-generation semi-submersible drilling rig built in 2010 with an enhanced GVA 7500 design.

The dispute revolves around the contractor Kaefer's refusal to provide a cost-of-living payment for 2023.

This decision follows legal proceedings initiated by a traditional landowner seeking to halt the pipeline works until a thorough assessment of its impact and risks to underwater cultural heritage is conducted.

The Whale project, part of Shell's Gulf of Mexico portfolio, achieved a final investment decision in July 2021 and involves cutting-edge energy-efficient gas turbines and compression systems.

The drilling program, managed by Odfjell Drilling, is scheduled to be carried out using the semi-submersible rig Deepsea Yantai.

The FPSO is expected to achieve an initial production rate of approximately 220,000 barrels per day over the first half of the next year as additional wells are brought online.