Aker BP gearing up for Barents Sea well

Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) has given consent to Aker BP for exploration drilling in the Barents Sea, using the Deepsea Nordkapp drilling rig.

The PSA said on Wednesday that the consent is for exploration drilling in block 7234/6-1 in the Barents Sea.

The well is named 7234/6-1 and the prospect name is Stangnestind. It is located in production licence 858. The water depth at the site is 672 meters.

According to the safety authority, drilling operations are expected to last about 40 days.

The Odfjell-Drilling-owned Deepsea Nordkapp rig is a 6th generation dynamically positioned harsh environment and winterized semi-submersible of Moss enhanced CS 60E design.

It is worth reminding that Aker BP in March 2021 exercised the second 12-month option for the Odfjell Drilling-owned Deepsea Nordkapp rig under a contract entered into between the parties in April 2018.

The approximate contract value for the exercised optional scope is $109 million, excluding any integrated services. In addition, a performance bonus will be applicable.

The work will start after the completion of the current scope estimated to be in the second or the third quarter of 2021.

Also this week, the PSA gave its consent to Aker BP to use the Deepsea Stavanger rig in the Norwegian Sea.

Aker BP will use the Odfjell Drilling-owned rig for drilling, completion, re-completion and plugging of wells on the Skarv field.

Skarv is a field in the northern part of the Norwegian Sea, 35 kilometres southwest of the Norne field. The water depth in the area is 350-450 metres.