The Norwegian Offshore Directorate (NOD) has granted Equinor Power AS a drilling allow for wellbore 7018/5-2 in manufacturing license 1236, positioned within the Barents Sea on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The authorization was issued below Part 13 of the Useful resource Administration Rules, NOD confirmed on October 29, 2025.
The upcoming nicely shall be drilled on behalf of a license group consisting of Equinor (operator, 50%), Vår Energi (30%), and Petoro (20%). Manufacturing license 1236 was awarded in 2023 throughout the APA (Awards in Predefined Areas) licensing spherical and covers an space within the southern Barents Sea.
In response to the Norwegian Offshore Directorate, nicely 7018/5-2 will take a look at a prospect in a frontier space close to present Barents Sea infrastructure. The drilling operation will mark the primary exploration nicely drilled below PL 1236 and can additional consider the hydrocarbon potential of the acreage.
Equinor has not but confirmed which rig will perform the operation, although the marketing campaign is anticipated to start in late 2025 or early 2026, topic to operational readiness and climate situations.
The allow reinforces Equinor’s continued exploration focus in Norway’s Arctic area, the place the corporate is main a number of ongoing appraisal and wildcat drilling campaigns aimed toward replenishing reserves and strengthening long-term home fuel provide.
