Equinor gets regulatory nod for Barents Sea exploration drilling

Norway’s Petroleum Safety Authority approved plans by Equinor ASA, operator for production license 532 in the Barents Sea, to drill exploration well 7220/7-4 (Isflak prospect).

The well is expected to be drilled in 30 days by the Transocean Enabler harsh-environment semisubmersible drilling rig in 351 m of water.

The rig was used by the company in July to drill wildcat well 7219/9-3 in the license near Johan Castberg field. Equinor was in search of hydrocarbons in Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic reservoirs but came up dry (OGJ Online, July 31, 2020). 

Equinor is operator of the license with 50%. Partners are Var Energy AS (30%) and Petoro AS (20%).