Stavanger (22 Juni 2026). Wellesley Petroleum AS notes the Norwegian Offshore Directorate’s press release concerning the results of appraisal well 35/10-16 S, drilled in production licence 1148 on the Carmen discovery where Wellesley holds a 30% operated working interest.
Wellesley Launches 2026 HPHT Drilling Campaign
Wellesley has commenced its 2026 two-well HPHT operated drilling campaign, with parallel activities now underway.
The Deepsea Yantai rig spudded well 35/10-16 S on 17 April to appraise the Carmen discovery in PL 1148. In parallel, Wellesley successfully installed a CanDuctor on 20 April for the second well in the campaign, which will appraise the Afrodite discovery in PL 293 following completion of operations on Carmen.
The simultaneous execution of appraisal drilling and CanDuctor installation marks an important operational milestone, demonstrating Wellesley’s ability to safely manage parallel operations while maintaining efficiency across the campaign.
The CanDuctor installation represents the second successful deployment of this technology from an anchor handling vessel, reducing operational risk and contributing to project cost efficiencies.
Wellesley would like to thank its suppliers for their continued support and collaboration, which are key to the successful delivery of the campaign.
Equinor and Wellesley launch Joint Exploration Project to accelerate HPHT activity on the NCS
Equinor and Wellesley Petroleum have agreed to establish a Joint Exploration Project (JEP) aimed at increasing high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) exploration activity on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) and contributing to long-term production from existing infrastructure.
Both companies recognise the challenge of declining production on the NCS in the coming decade. Successful exploration – particularly close to existing hubs – is a key enabler to sustaining output, maximising resource recovery and extending the productive life of offshore facilities.
The Joint Exploration Project brings together Equinor’s regional knowledge, subsurface experience and infrastructure position with Wellesley’s focused exploration model and proven capability as an HPHT drilling operator. The objective is to improve the quality of the NCS prospect portfolio, increase exploration activity and accelerate the time from exploration drilling to first production.
The collaboration will focus on HPHT opportunities in selected core areas of the Northern North Sea, where deeper targets remain underexplored but offer significant resource potential. By combining datasets, interpretations and technical expertise, the companies aim to mature prospects more efficiently and prioritise the most robust drilling candidates.
The ambition is to drill up to 15 exploration wells in the period 2027–2030. Wellesley will target operating up to 3–5 HPHT wells per year, with drilling taking place in licences where Equinor and Wellesley already work together, and always in close collaboration with their respective licence partners.
Wellesley is building a solid track record in delivering complex HPHT wells safely and efficiently, supported by an experienced well operations organisation. This operational capability, combined with Equinor’s long-standing position as a leading NCS operator and infrastructure owner, provides a strong foundation for an ambitious and sustained drilling campaign.
Importantly, the Joint Exploration Project does not constitute a joint venture, partnership or new legal entity. Each company retains full independence and continues to act within existing licence structures and governance frameworks. All drilling decisions will remain subject to approval by the relevant production licence partnerships in accordance with standard licence processes.
The Joint Exploration Project will commence in 2026, with the first wells under the programme planned from 2027 onwards.
First NCS CanDuctor deployment from anchor handling vessel
In March, Wellesley will commence its two-well operated drilling campaign with the Carmen appraisal project in PL 1148. The Deepsea Yantai will drill Carmen as the first well in the programme, before moving on to appraise the Afrodite discovery in PL 293.
In preparation for drilling Carmen, Well Expertise AS, an Elemental Energies company, has successfully led the first deployment of a Neodrill CanDuctor from an anchor handling vessel (AHV) on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, acting on behalf of Wellesley as licence operator and its partners.
Using a CanDuctor, deployed from an AHV, rather than drilling and cementing a conductor, using the drilling rig, reduces the operational risks and delivers project cost efficiencies.
The Well Expertise team provided a fully integrated, turnkey solution — holding all contracts on behalf of Wellesley and managing HSEQ, marine advisory, vessel intake, and project management — while coordinating Intermoor, Cranemaster, Neodrill AS, and Aurora Offshore AS into a single, aligned delivery team.
This approach demonstrates how alternative execution models can simultaneously reduce risk and create material value on the NCS, supporting safer and more efficient drilling.
Equinor Licence Swap
Equinor and Wellesley have agreed into an asset swap agreement for various licenses in the Troll/Kvitebjørn area. The intention behind the agreement is to increase activity on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, with focus on the execution of HPHT exploration wells near existing infrastructure, as well as access to new areas in future TFO rounds in the western part of the North sea. Specifically, in the short term, the agreement will enable the acceleration of exploration and appraisal drilling.
‘We have a strategy to continue the value creation on the Norwegian continental shelf and expect to maintain a high production towards 2035. The agreement with Wellesley increases our capacity for near-infrastructure exploration, which is key for long term value creation’, says Kjetil Hove, executive vice president for Exploration and Production Norway.
‘This transaction with Equinor rebalances Wellesley’s portfolio towards the HPHT gas play, which we believe to have significant exploration potential. Both companies recognise the need to accelerate and expand exploration drilling activity in the Northern North Sea, and we look forward to working with Equinor to deliver successful drilling campaigns in the coming years’, says Chris Elliott, CEO of Wellesley.
The effective date of the agreement is 01.01.2025. The licences transferred from Wellesley to Equinor are PL 248 C (15%), PL 1148, PL 1148 B, PL 1148 CS (20%), PL 1184 S (5%). The licences transferred from Equinor to Wellesley are PL 293 (5%), PL 878, PL 878 B, PL 878 C (5%).
Exploration Drilling Result: Well 35/10-12 S
Stavanger (10 July 2024).
Wellesley Petroleum AS (“Wellesley”) notes the SODIR announcement of the drilling results of Appraisal well 35/10-12 S operated by Wellesley. Drilling took place in licence PL1184 S with the COSL Promotor rig. The well was an up-dip appraisal targeting the Gnomoria Discovery made in 2018 by well 35/10-4 A and proved around 16 mmboe of recoverable resources.
Wellesley CEO Chris Elliott commented:
“We are pleased with the Gnomoria result, which adds valuable resources to the ongoing area development plans in the Fram-Toll area. Although modest in size, the discovery has favourable characteristics which we are confident will allow commercial recovery. As with Grosbeak, new subsurface ideas have enabled us to rescue stranded resources classed as “unlikely to be developed”, demonstrating the enduring potential for value creation in mature parts of the NCS.
The operation was highly efficient and we thank COSL and other service providers for an excellent performance in helping deliver a safe and cost-effective well.”
Exploration Drilling Result: Well 35/11-29 S
Stavanger (14 Juni 2024). Wellesley Petroleum AS notes the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s press release concerning the results of exploration well 35/11-29 S. The well was dry. The 35/11-29 S well was drilled in production licence 248 C where Wellesley holds a 30% operated working interest.
https://www.sodir.no/en/whats-new/news/exploration-drilling-results/2024/dry-well-in-the-north-sea4
Wellesley Is Recruiting
Wellesley Petroleum is an established E&P company, focused on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) and recognized as one of the most active and successful explorers and early phase developers in the basin.
Wellesley is focusing on generating new prospects for operated exploration drilling in the coming years as well as maturing existing discoveries towards production. The recent Wellesley-operated Carmen discovery has a particular focus in the company.
With these tasks in mind, Wellesley is seeking highly motivated and capable technical staff to join our team. The available roles are for one development geologist and three exploration geoscientists.
More information about the roles can be found here.
Exploration Drilling Result: Well 35/11-28 S
Stavanger (16 th February 2024). Wellesley Petroleum AS notes the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s press release concerning the results of exploration well 35/11-28 S. The well was dry. The 35/11-28 S well was drilled in production licence 248 C where Wellesley holds a 30% operated working interest.
Dry well in the North Sea – The Norwegian Offshore Directorate (sodir.no)
Wellesley Supports Hinna Håndball
Hinna Håndball is a handball club for girls of all ages and for the developmentally disabled, based in Stavanger, Norway. The club currently has over 330 active members and over 50 coaches, team managers and enthusiasts. Wellesley is proud to help more girls in the Stavanger area to play handball and to help facilitate their sporting and social development.