en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Equinor a permit to drill well 16/4-14 in production license 1174S, while also awarding Aker BP a permit to drill well 36/4-2 in production license 1153. Equinor's license is valid from February 17, 2023, to the same date in 2030, while Aker BP's license runs from March 11, 2022, to the same date in 2030.

Equinor, as the operator of license 1174S, holds an 80% interest, with Petoro holding the remaining 20%. Drilling operations will be carried out using the COSL Innovator semi-submersible rig from COSL Drilling Europe, with spudding expected in September 2026. The company booked the rig in August 2023 under a two-year contract starting in the second quarter of 2025, with an option to extend for an additional three years. This 2012-built semi-submersible rig is designed to operate in water depths of up to 750 meters.

Aker BP, as the operator of license 1153, holds a 40% interest, with partners Inpex Idemitsu Norge, OKEA, and Harbour Energy holding 30%, 20%, and 10% stakes, respectively. Drilling operations will commence in June this year in the North Sea using Saipem's Scarabeo 8 rig. This 2012-built sixth-generation dual-derrick deepwater semi-submersible rig has a capacity of 140 personnel and a maximum drilling depth of 35,000 feet (approximately 10,668 meters). The rig recently secured a contract extension with Aker BP, further extending its term to 2028.

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