Edison was awarded 3 new hydrocarbons exploration licenses in Norway: in the Barents Sea, Norway Sea and Southern side of North Sea
Edison, through its controlled company Edison International, was awarded 3 new hydrocarbons exploration licenses in the Norwegian Continental Shelf which had been put out for bids by the Norwegian Oil and Energy Ministry. The new contracts mark the recognition of Edison as operator and especially in the difficult conditions of Barents Sea.

The licenses include: blocks 7124/1,2 in the Barents Sea with Edison as operator through a 60% stake in a Joint Venture with North Energy ASA (40%); block 6407/8 in the Norway Sea with Edison as operator through a 60% stake in a Joint Venture with North Energy ASA (40%); blocks 7/1,2 e 16/10 in the Southern side of North Sea with Edison having a 10% stake in a Joint Venture including Talisman Energy (40%, operator), Det Norske ASA (20%), Skagen (10%) and Petoro AS (20%).

The three contracts include an exploration period of 3 years with the obligation of 3D Seismic Acquisition. In the Southern side of North Sea the drilling of a well is due.

“Through this award Edison strengthens its activities in Norway where it’s present with other 5 exploration licenses in the Continental Shelf”, said Mr. Pietro Cavanna, director of Hydrocarbons Business Unit in Edison. “The recognition of Edison as operator is a pride for Edison’s Hydrocarbons Unit. Our skills and resources both in the Exploration and Production of hydrocarbons have been acknowledged by Norwegian authorities especially in a challenging area like the Barents Sea characterized by a difficult climate and complex operational conditions. Through our activities in the country we’ve already made a discovery in the Norway Sea where a delimitation well will be drilled at the beginning of 2012”.