Green light for North Sea ops with Odfjell Drilling’s rig

June 3, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Norwegian authorities have approved drilling activities that 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 Odfjell Drilling, an offshore drilling contractor.

Deepsea Nordkapp rig; Source: Odfjell Drilling

The Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil) has granted Aker BP consent for exploration drilling in block 15/6 in the North Sea, within production license 1139, which was awarded on March 11, 2022, and is valid until the same date in 2029.

This license is operated by Aker BP with a 70% stake, alongside its partner, Equinor (30%). The firm will now be able to spud the well 5/6-18 S, also known as the Freke Nord prospect, in a water depth of 111 meters.

The drilling of the well will be undertaken with the 2019-built Deepsea Nordkapp, formerly Stena Midmax, a sixth-generation dynamically positioned, harsh-environment and winterized semi-submersible of a Moss-enhanced CS 60E design.

Odfjell Drilling was among the three offshore drilling contractors that won drilling and wells alliance deals with Aker BP in January 2023 to undertake drilling activities on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

The Deepsea Nordkapp rig’s assignment, previously slated to be completed at the end of 2024, was prolonged to run for two more years. A few months ago, Aker BP also extended the contract to the end of 2027.