Go-ahead for North Sea drilling ops with Saipem’s rig

March 27, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Norwegian authorities have given the all-clear for drilling activities Norway’s oil and gas player Aker BP is planning to undertake in the North Sea on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS), with a 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 36/4 in the North Sea, within production licence: 1153, which was awarded on March 11, 2022, and is valid until the same date in 2030.

This license is operated by Aker BP with a 40% stake, alongside its partners, Inpex Idemitsu Norge (30%), OKEA (20%), and Harbour Energy Norge (10%). The firm will now be able to spud the well 36/4-2, also known as the Alpehumle prospect, in a water depth of 255 meters.

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

The Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority also gave the Norwegian oil and gas firm consent to drill pilot hole 35/10 in the North Sea. The drilling will be conducted in production licence: 1182S, awarded on February 17, 2023, and valid until the same date in 2028.

The well 35/10-U-1 will be drilled with the Scarabeo 8 rig, which has 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.