Statoil is said to be in the market for low cost rentals of drilling rigs.
The Norwegian operator has sent out a request for a rig to drill up to six wells on Aasta Hansteen.
Work is expected to start between the end of next year and early 2018.
A spokesman for the company said the work will also include options for up to six individual wells.
The wells will have a duration of between 60-70 days with the contract expected to take up to a year.
