Norwegian Equinor Secures Drilling Permit for North Sea Exploration Well

Norwegian state-owned energy giant Equinor has recently obtained a drilling permit for an exploration well in the North Sea off the coast of Norway. The drilling operation will be conducted using a semi-submersible rig owned by Odfjell Drilling, a reputable offshore drilling contractor.

The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has officially granted Equinor the drilling permit for wellbore 15/8-3 S in production license 1137. This license was awarded on March 11, 2022, and is valid until the same date in 2028.

Equinor serves as the operator of the production license, holding a 50% interest, while its partner, Orlen Upstream Norway, possesses the remaining 50% stake. The exploration drilling of the wildcat well is scheduled to commence in September 2025 using the Deepsea Atlantic semi-submersible rig.

The Deepsea Atlantic rig, a sixth-generation deepwater and harsh environment semi-submersible with dual derrick and dynamic positioning capabilities, was built in 2009. Recently, the rig secured a contract extension that will see it remain with Equinor until the end of Q2 2027.

Equinor previously utilized the Deepsea Atlantic rig to discover gas/condensate in the wildcat well 6406/6-7 S, the first well drilled by the licensees in PL 1119 and the fifth within the entire license area.