Oil companies in Norway are predicted to drill fewer exploration off their wells by 40% than originally planned in 2020, due to the pandemic impact. The officials in Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) said the Norwegian Continental Shelf upcoming developmental project could be delayed in reason of pandemic-related restriction, for example the foreign labour usage. In January, the directorate forecasted to see around 50 wells be drilled through 2020, a bit lower than 58 wells dug in 2019, but in statement on Friday July 17, around 12 well explorations had been postponed due to pandemic-related reasons, and 5 more could be postponed. The director of NPD wished the wells could be drilled soon, no later than 2021.
The NPD said there is a probability some of the 18 ongoing development projects on the NCS could also be delayed, but the bureau also expected new projects to be approved this year. The projects include the oil discoveries by Aker BP’s Graasel and development of Equinor’s Breidablikk.
