Norsk Hydro USA Oil & Gas Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Norsk Hydro Americas Inc., and Conoco Inc. (NYSE: COC.A) (NYSE: COC.B) have entered into a Joint Venture Agreement providing for Norsk Hydro to acquire 25 % working interest participation in five firm and three contingent exploration wells in Deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Norsk Hydro has been assigned title interest in 55 leases covering the subject prospect areas.
The first two firm wells began drilling in July. The drilling program has resulted from Conoco's continuous high grading of its deepwater exploration portfolio over several years. The majority of this portfolio was acquired in 1996-97.
Norsk Hydro has options to participate in future exploration wells resulting from further mapping of 178 leases in Conoco's existing portfolio through 2005. Norsk Hydro personnel will support Conoco's organization as secondees. Conoco will remain the operator of all the prospects it currently operates.
The two companies will also evaluate further joint business development activities.
Norsk Hydro expects a total expenditure in the order of 130 million USD for acquisition, exploration drilling, data purchases and organizational costs related to this deal during the 2001-02 period. A new business unit will be established in Houston, Texas to manage the activities and further develop the initial portfolio.
Frank Pedersen, Senior Vice President, New Ventures, commented that Norsk Hydro regards entry into deepwater Gulf of Mexico as a strategic move that will create opportunities for long-term profitable E&P growth and good prospects for value creation. "This area offers many attractions as a potential new core area for Norsk Hydro's exploration and production activities. These include high quality exploration opportunities with large undiscovered resource potential, favourable fiscal framework and the opportunity to further build on Norsk Hydro's offshore competence from the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The Gulf of Mexico is considered to be a prime arena for further development of deepwater oil and gas technology."
"This transaction is a win-win proposition for both companies as Norsk Hydro gains access to a mature, strategically positioned portfolio while Conoco is fully compensated for developing that position," commented Glen Bishop, General Manager, Gulf of Mexico Business Unit. "Norsk Hydro is highly respected global company that will certainly compliment the staff we have dedicated to exploration and production activities in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. We look forward to working together."
Norsk Hydro and Conoco have long standing business relations from previous and existing joint ventures in Norway, the UK as well as in Russia. Norsk Hydro will contribute competencies and experience from project developments in Norway and complement Conoco's knowledge and strengths.
Conoco is a major, integrated energy company active in more than 40 countries. Additional information about Conoco can be found on the company's website.
Norsk Hydro is a leading supplier of oil and gas, light metals and plant nutrition with its main office in Norway, ca. 38,000 employees and operations in more than 60 countries. Additional information can be found on the website www.hydro.com. The company is quoted on the stock exchanges in seven countries including Oslo, New York (NYSE : NHY) and London.