Spirit Cleared for Norwegian Wildcat

UK producer Spirit Energy has been cleared to drill a first wildcat well at production licence (PL) 780 in the central North Sea off Norway, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) reported on June 22.

The well will be drilled by the Leiv Eiriksson rig some 5 km north of the Aker BP-operated Ivar Aasen oilfield. Aker BP is a partner at PL 780 with 40%, while Spirit operates the licence with 60%.

Spirit is a joint venture between UK energy group Centrica and Germany's Stadwerke Munchen. Centrica had been looking to divest the company but put the sale on hold in April because of market volatility.