Italian multinational oilfield services company, Saipem, will restart drilling activities of the Scarabeo 8 in the Norwegian waters following the postponement of activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press release.

Drilling operations are due to start in Q4 2020, with an eye to keep the operating profile and equipment of the rig active in anticipation of the North Sea market recovery. 

Saipem and Norwegian operator Var Energi have re-agreed on terms to carry out the drilling at four wells in the Barents Sea. The two companies had previously come to an agreement before the postponement of drilling due to the market downturn.

Marco Toninelli, COO of the Onshore Drilling Division at Saipem, said, “Saipem expresses great satisfaction for having reached this important agreement and for resuming operations with an important customer, despite the current difficult times we are all facing.”