Offshore

Equinor Lines Up North Sea Wildcat for March 2026

Equinor has obtained a Norwegian Offshore Directorate permit for a North Sea wildcat well, to be drilled in March 2026 with the COSL Innovator under production licence 782 S.

COSL Innovator (Photo: COSL)

29, January 2026
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Norway’s state-owned energy company Equinor has secured a drilling permit from the Norwegian Offshore Directorate for a wildcat well in the Norwegian North Sea, with operations planned to start in March 2026.

The permit covers wellbore 25/7-13 in production licence 782 S. The licence period runs from 6 February 2015 to 6 February 2045.

Equinor will operate the licence with a 60% interest, while Aker BP holds the remaining 40%.

The well is set to be spudded by COSL Innovator, a semi-submersible owned by COSL Drilling Europe. Equinor booked the rig in August 2023 under a two-year contract scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2025, with options to extend for up to three additional years.

Built in 2012, COSL Innovator is designed for work in water depths of up to 750 m.

The North Sea programme aligns with Equinor’s ongoing efforts to explore Norway’s hydrocarbon potential and strengthen its oil and gas reserves, alongside another planned well in the Norwegian Sea using a rig from Transocean.

Tags: COSL Innovator, Equinor, North Sea, Norway offshore, Wildcat Well

Editorial Note:
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools to enhance clarity and efficiency.
All information has been reviewed and verified by the HMT News editor.

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