Equinor will start drilling a North Sea wildcat in March 2026 after receiving a permit from the Norwegian Offshore Directorate for wellbore 25/7-13 in production licence 782 S. The permit period runs from 6 February 2015 to 6 February 2045.

The well is planned to be drilled with COSL Drilling Europe’s COSL Innovator semi-submersible, which Equinor contracted in August 2023 under a two-year deal beginning in the second quarter of 2025. The agreement includes options that could extend the rig’s work by up to three additional years.

In licence 782 S, Equinor holds a 60% operating interest, while Aker BP owns the remaining 40%. Built in 2012, COSL Innovator is designed for operations in water depths of up to 750 m.

The planned North Sea well forms part of Equinor’s continued effort to test Norwegian hydrocarbon potential and add reserves, alongside another drilling programme the company intends to run in the Norwegian Sea using a Transocean rig.