Cairn had been looking for partners in the project after two unsuccessful years of drilling in the bay which is off Greenland's west coast.
"Statoil is Norway's national energy company and they've got obviously extensive experience of drilling in the Arctic, in northern Norway, and also developing fields there.
So ...any success they'd have they would have the experience that Statoil's already gained from developing fields in their own home waters," said Nathan Pyper, an analyst with RBC Capital Markets.
Cairn Energy said the terms of the deal with Statoil are confidential. It did say, however, that Statoil would acquire a 30 per cent interest in the Baffin Bay block if it is approved by Greenland's government.
Cairn said it would continue to operate the exploration project and Statoil would operate any future development.
Cairn Energy has not announced whether it will do any drilling off Greenland's coast in 2012.



