Go-ahead for Equinor’s drilling ops with COSL rig in Norwegian waters

December 15, 2025, by Melisa Cavcic

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.