Norwegian Equinor Receives Approval for North Sea Drilling Operation

Norwegian state-owned energy giant Equinor has received the go-ahead from the country’s authorities to use one of Odfjell Drilling’s semi-submersible rigs for drilling operations at a block in the North Sea off the coast of Norway.

The Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil) has given Equinor consent for exploration drilling in block 24/11 in the North Sea. This block is located in production license 169, awarded on March 1, 1991, and valid until the same date in 2030.

Exploration Plans and Partnerships

As the operator of the license, Equinor holds a 57% ownership interest, with partners Petoro and Vår Energi owning the remaining 30% and 13% stakes respectively. The upcoming drilling operation, targeting the Lit prospect, will take place at a water depth of 122 meters using Odfjell Drilling’s Deepsea Atlantic rig.

The Deepsea Atlantic rig, a sixth-generation semi-submersible, was recently utilized to drill the Mistral Sør prospect, resulting in a promising discovery estimated to hold 3-7 million standard cubic meters of recoverable oil equivalent.

Deepsea Atlantic Rig Overview

The Deepsea Atlantic rig, built in 2009, is a dual derrick, dynamic-positioned rig of enhanced GVA 7500 design. Equinor has secured a contract extension for the rig, ensuring its availability for drilling operations until the end of Q2 2027.

With Equinor’s commitment to exploration and development in the North Sea, the partnership with Odfjell Drilling and the utilization of the advanced Deepsea Atlantic rig demonstrate a strategic approach to unlocking the region’s energy resources.