The Norwegian state-owned explorer is set to kick off drilling of the 7324/2-1 probe in its operated production licence 615 later this month using the winterised semi-submersible Transocean Spitsbergen after gaining the final clearance required from the Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA).

The well, to be drilled in the Hoop area about 175 kilometres south-east of the Bear Island nature reserve, will be the northernmost ever drilled off Norway and has triggered an environmental outcry due to the risk of an oil spill near the Arctic ice edge.

Greenpeace