Norway’s state-owned energy giant Equinor has received the Norwegian authorities’ blessing for drilling activities in the Norwegian Sea, which will be undertaken with a semi-submersible rig owned by COSL Drilling Europe, an offshore drilling player.
The Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil) has given Equinor consent to drill a pilot hole 6610/7-U-3 in the Norwegian Sea. The prospect, Arkenstone , is located in the production license 1014 .
This license is valid from March 1, 2019, up to the same date in 2028. Equinor is the operator of the license with a 70% stake, while its partners, OKEA and Aker BP, hold the remaining 20% and 10% interests.
The drilling of the well will be carried out with the COSL Innovator drilling rig, which the Norwegian state-owned giant booked in August 2023 for a two-year contract, starting in the second quarter of 2025.
This deal comes with extension options for three additional years. The water depth at the site is 233 meters.
The 2012-built COSL Innovator semi-submersible rig is designed to operate in water depths up to 750 meters.