Production drilling begins on Nova

Wintershall Dea has begun the last part of the Nova drilling campaign in the Norwegian North Sea from the Scarabeo 8 semi-submersible rig.

The rig will drill three production wells and three water injection wells through two subsea templates. The Nova field is expected to start production in the second half of 2022.

Nova is a tie-back to the nearby Gjøa platform which will provide water injection and gas lift and receive the hydrocarbons. Gjøa is electrified with power from shore and will also provide electricity to Nova. This contributes to Wintershall Dea’s Energy Transition Pathway and the plan for reaching Scope 1 and 2 net zero by 2030.

The drilling start is an important milestone for the Nova consortium, including Wintershall Dea as operator and Sval Energi, Spirit Energy, and ONE-Dyas as project partners. Installation of the subsea equipment is completed and modifications to the Gjøa facility are progressing well.

“With the subsea scope having been finalised already and a clear focus on the completion of the topside modifications, the production drilling is the last major milestone before production start for the Nova field. Looking ahead, it’s exciting to see the field taking shape, and we look forward to first oil,” said André Hesse, Wintershall Dea Nova Project Director.

Nova is located in the Norwegian North Sea, some 120 km northwest of Bergen and 17 km southwest of Gjøa. The semi-submersible drilling rig Scarabeo 8 is operated by Saipem.

Drilling on Nova originally started at the end of October 2020 but was paused following an incident with one of the x-mas trees. The contract for the drilling rig West Mira was terminated in May this year.