Danish contractor Maersk Drilling reportedly has two of its rigs lined up to drill a pair of exploration wells in the Norwegian sector later this year.

Canadian explorer Talisman Energy is set to use the Maersk Gallant to drill the 16/10-5 probe at the Polar Bear prospect in the Norwegian Sea in the fourth quarter.

The probe will be drilled in about 83 metres of water in Talisman-operated Production Licence 568, about 16 kilometres south-east of the Varg field, Petro.no reported.

Meanwhile, Danish player Dong is targeting the 3/7-8 well at the Trym South prospect straddling the median line between Norway and Denmark using jack-up Maersk Giant, with drilling also scheduled for the fourth quarter.

The North Sea prospect in Dong-operated Production Licence 147, lies between the Trym gas and condensate field on the Norwegian side and the Lulita field off Denmark in about 107 metres of water.