Smedvig Drilling (Stavanger, Norway) has signed a letter of intent with BP Norge for the drilling of production wells at the Valhall Flank Field. The contract is worth around NOK 450 million, and includes the drilling of eight wells. The jack-up drilling platform “West Epsilon” will be used for the project. Work will start in August or September next year, and will take 15 months to complete. There is also an option for another three projects, each for eight wells. – Smedvig has also signed a letter of intent with Esso Norge for exploratory drilling in the Norwegian Sea, at a site west of Bodoe. The contract is worth NOK 180 million, and includes the drilling of a deep-sea well to a depth of around 1350 metres. Drilling will start in August next year, and the exploration is expected to take three months.