Drilling ops with Saipem rig cleared for take-off in North Sea

December 26, 2025, by Melisa Cavcic

Norwegian authorities have given their blessing for exploration drilling activities Norway’s oil and gas player Aker BP is planning to undertake in the North Sea on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NOC), with a semi-submersible rig owned by Saipem, an Italian engineering, drilling, and construction services giant.

The Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil) has granted Aker BP consent for exploration drilling in block 15/6 in the North Sea in production license 979, which was awarded on March 1, 2019, and is valid until the same date in 2029.

This license is operated by Aker BP with a 60% stake, with its partner, Equinor, holding the remaining 40% interest. The firm will now be able to spud the well 15/6-17, also known as the Svarteknippa prospect, in a water depth of 102 meters.

The drilling of the well will be undertaken with the 2012-built Scarabeo 8 rig. This sixth-generation dual derrick deepwater semi-submersible drilling rig recently secured a contract extension with Aker BP.

The rig comes with an accommodation capacity for 140 people and a maximum drilling depth of 35,000 feet (about 10,668 meters). The semi-submersible is staying with the Norwegian player into 2028.