ConocoPhillips Norge plans an intensive drilling program at the Greater Ekofisk Area in the southern Norwegian North Sea.

The new wells are designed to sustain production from the Ekofisk and Eldfisk fields for several more decades.

This spring the newbuild West Linus will arrive at the Ekofisk Complex to start a multi-year drilling program at the Ekofisk 2/4 Z wellhead platform.

When the campaign is completed, 2/4 Z will have 35 production wells and one well for reinjection of drill cuttings.

On the neighboring wellhead platform Ekofisk 2/4M, the Rowan Norway will perform slot recovery on seven wells.

Mærsk Innovator is currently completing wells on the Ekofisk 2/4 V B seabed installation. This facility has eight water injection wells to maintain pressure in the reservoir. The same rig will start drilling production wells on Eldfisk 2/7 S later this year.

The 2/7 S platform has 40 well slots. So far the Maersk Gallant has drilled four production wells and one well for reinjection of drill cuttings.

Rowan Gorilla VI will also arrive in the spring to plug wells on Ekofisk 2/4 A, which was shut down last September following 39 years of oil production. In total, 23 wells will be plugged on the platform.

In addition, ConocoPhillips anticipates a busy activity period for two of the permanent platform drilling rigs, Ekofisk 2/4 X and 2/4 K.