Aker BP has received consent from Norwegian authorities to drill an exploration well in the North Sea, using Odfjell Drilling’s Deepsea Nordkapp rig for the planned operation on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
The Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority, Havtil, granted approval for exploration drilling in block 15/6 under production license 1139. The license was awarded on 11 March 2022 and is valid until 11 March 2029.
Production license 1139 is operated by Aker BP, which holds a 70% stake, with Equinor holding the remaining 30%. The approval covers well 15/6-18 S, also known as the Freke Nord prospect, in a water depth of 111 m.
The drilling will be carried out with Deepsea Nordkapp, formerly Stena Midmax. The 2019-built unit is a sixth-generation, dynamically positioned, harsh-environment and winterized semi-submersible rig based on a Moss-enhanced CS 60E design.
Odfjell Drilling was one of three offshore drilling contractors awarded drilling and wells alliance agreements with Aker BP in January 2023 for work on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
Deepsea Nordkapp’s assignment, previously expected to finish at the end of 2024, was extended by two years. A few months ago, Aker BP also prolonged the contract, keeping the rig under contract until the end of 2027.
