Norwegian Oil and Gas Player Aker BP to Drill Exploration Wells in Norwegian Sea

Aker BP has received approval from Norwegian authorities to drill two exploration wells in the Norwegian Sea using Saipem’s semi-submersible rig.

The Norwegian Offshore Directorate (NOD) granted Aker BP drilling permits for wellbore 6306/6-3 S in production license 886 and 6507/5-13 S in production license 212, both located in the Norwegian Sea.

Aker BP operates the first license with ConocoPhillips Skandinavia and Petoro as partners, while Equinor, Wintershall Dea Norge (now Harbour Energy), and ORLEN Upstream Norway are partners in the second license.

The first wildcat well, 6306/6-3 S, is set to be drilled in January 2025, followed by the second well, 6507/5-13 S, in February 2025, both using Saipem’s Scarabeo 8 rig.

In September 2024, Aker BP extended the rig’s stay on the Norwegian Continental Shelf until the end of 2026. Scarabeo 8, with an accommodation capacity of 140 people and a maximum drilling depth of 35,000 feet, is a sixth-generation dual derrick deepwater semi-submersible drilling rig.

A video shows the rig participating in trials for core drilling technology. Aker BP recently delineated a gas discovery in the Norwegian Sea and is considering a subsea tie-back to existing infrastructure for development.