The 6706/11-2 probe, due to be spudded next month and with an estimated 28-day duration, will be drilled by semi-submersible Transocean Spitsbergen about 22 kilometres west of Aasta Hansteen in Statoil-operated production licence 602 in the south-western part of Nykhogda in the Voring basin.
It will target a reservoir in the same Nise formation that recently yielded a gas discovery for the state-owned operator at the Roald Rygg prospect about eight kilometres away from the current well location.
The latest prospect is similarly expected to hold gas, although the presence of condensate has not been ruled out.
The well at Gymir will be drilled to a total depth of 2655 metres in a similar water depth to that Roald Rygg of 1289 metres.
Statoil holds a 42.5% operating interest in the licence with partners Centrica and Petoro each on 20%, Wintershall (10%) and Atlantic Petroleum (7.5%), subject to official approval of a stake transaction.