Norwegian oil and gas player Aker BP has secured a drilling permit from the country’s authorities for an exploration well in the Norwegian Sea. The drilling work is expected to be carried out using one of Saipem’s rigs.

Scarabeo 8 rig; Source: Saipem

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) disclosed on Wednesday, 5 April 2023, that it had granted Aker BP a drilling permit for the well 6405/7-2 S in the Norwegian Sea.

The programme for the well 6405/7-2 S entails drilling an appraisal well in production licence 1005, which was awarded on 1 March 2019 and is valid until 1 March 2028.

Aker BP is the operator of the licence with an ownership interest of 40 per cent, while its partners, Vår Energi and Norske Shell, hold the remaining 40 and 20 per cent interest, respectively.

The well is expected to be drilled in April 2023 with the Scarabeo 8 semi-submersible rig, which was hired on a three-year deal, worth $325 million, in March 2022.

Scarabeo 8 is a sixth-generation dual derrick deepwater semi-submersible drilling rig capable of working in harsh environments with a dynamic positioning system and enhanced mooring capabilities. The rig can accommodate 140 people and its maximum drilling depth is 35,000 ft.