Aker BP getting ready for North Sea well

Norwegian offshore petroleum safety regulator has granted Aker BP consent for exploration drilling in the North Sea, using the Deepsea Nordkapp semi-submersible rig.

The Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) said on Wednesday it had given Aker BP consent for exploration drilling in block 35/4 in the North Sea.

The 35/4-3 well is located in production licence 685, which is operated by Aker BP with a 40 per cent interest. Its partners in the licence are Wellesley Petroleum and Petoro with 40 per cent and 20 per cent interests, respectively.

The well is targeting a prospect named Laushornet and drilling operations will be conducted in water depths of 399 meters.

Aker BP will be using the Odfjell Drilling-owned Deepsea Nordkapp rig to drill the well. The rig is a 6th generation dynamically positioned harsh environment and winterized semi-submersible of a Moss enhanced CS 60E design.

It is worth reminding that Aker BP in March 2021 exercised the second 12-month option for the Deepsea Nordkapp rig under a contract entered into between the parties in April 2018. This second option will start after the expiry of the first optional period in June 2022. The approximate contract value for the exercised optional scope is $109 million, excluding any integrated services.

The oil company is in the process of merging with Lundin Energy’s oil and gas business in a push to create an E&P firm, which will be the largest listed E&P company focused exclusively on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).