Norwegian oil and gas player Aker BP has obtained a drilling permit for an exploration well in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, which is slated to be drilled next month using a semi-submersible rig owned by Italy’s Saipem.
The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Aker BP a drilling permit for the wellbore 15/6-17 in production license 979 , which was awarded on March 1, 2019, and is valid until the same date in 2029. This comes months after the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil) gave the firm consent for exploration drilling in block 15/6.
While the license is operated by Aker BP with a 60% interest, its partner, Equinor, holds the remaining 40% stake. The company is expected to spud the well 15/6-17, also known as the Svarteknippa prospect, in June 2026 in a water depth of 102 meters.
The drilling operations in the North Sea will be undertaken with the 2012-built Scarabeo 8 sixth-generation dual-derrick deepwater semi-submersible drilling rig, which secured a contract extension with Aker BP a few months ago.
The rig has an accommodation capacity for 140 people and a maximum drilling depth of 35,000 feet (about 10,668 meters). The semi-submersible is staying with the Norwegian player for an additional year, taking the deal into 2028.