Equinor to continue North Sea exploration with new permit

Equinor Energy AS has been granted a permit from the Norwegian Offshore Directorate to drill an exploration well in the North Sea.

Well 35/10-13 S is expected to be drilled this month from the Odfjell Drilling AS Deepsea Atlantic semisubmersible drilling rig in production license (PL) 827 SB.

Earlier this year, Equinor further delineated the 2023 Heisenberg oil and gas discovery in the license, which is now estimated to hold recoverable volumes to 24-56 MMboe after completion of an appraisal well and sidetrack (OGJ Online, Mar. 21, 2024). Oil-bearing sands were encountered in a deeper secondary target, Hummer. At the time, Equinor noted plans to drill a well in this year's second quarter to explore an additional deep prospect, Angel, while delineating Heisenberg westward.

Equinor is operator of PL 827 SB with 51% interest. DNO Norge AS holds the remaining 49%.