The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has granted Aker BP, a new oil exploration and production company formed by BP Norge and Det norske merger, a drilling permit for well 25/2-18 B, offshore Norway.

According to the agency, the well 25/2-18 B will be drilled from the Maersk Drilling-owned Maersk Interceptor jack-up drilling rig, in production license 442 in the North Sea.

The drilling program for well 25/2-18 B relates to the drilling of an appraisal well. Aker BP is the operator with an ownership interest of 90 percent, and LOTOS Exploration and Production Norge is a licensee with 10 per cent.

The area in this license is made up of parts of block 25/2 and block 25/3. Production license 442 was awarded in APA 2006 on June 15, 2007. This is the third well to be drilled in the license.

The permit is contingent upon the operator securing all other permits and consents required by other authorities prior to starting drilling activities.

Source: www.offshoreenergytoday.com