D&C News

Seadrill to build 4 more new jackups

Seadrill has entered into agreements with Keppel FELS and PPL Shipyard in Singapore for the construction of a total of four jackup newbuilds with delivery in 2010.

The two units to be built at Keppel FELS will be based on the KFELS Mod V ‘B’ design. The rated water depth is 400 ft, and drilling depth is 30,000 ft. Deliveries are scheduled in June 2010 and November 2010, and the total contract price for the two units is approximately US$420 million.

These jackups will be the fifth and sixth jackup orders that Seadrill has placed with KFELS. The shipyard recently completed its fourth jackup, West Ariel, for Seadrill, within budget and three days ahead of schedule.

The two units to be built at PPL Shipyard will be based on the Baker Marine Pacific Class 375 Deep Drilling design. The rated water depth is 375 ft, and drilling depth is 30,000 ft. Deliveries are scheduled in March 2010 and November 2010, and the total contract price for the units is approximately US$430 million.

Separately, Seadrill has entered into an agreement with Keppel O&M in Singapore to build a new semi-submersible self-erecting tender rig. Total project price is estimated at US$210 million. Scheduled for delivery in 1Q 2011, the new unit is targeted for harsher environment and deepwater drilling operations in combination with floating wellhead platforms such as TLPs and spars.

KCA DEUTAG wins contracts in Russia, Germany

KCA DEUTAG has been awarded land drilling contracts and extensions from oil and gas operators in Europe and Russia worth more than US$100 million.
Burgaz, Gazprom’s drilling subsidiary, has awarded KCA DEUTAG a contract for rig T-500 for 16 months, plus extensions, for a drilling campaign in the Novyi Urengoi field in the Yamburg region of west Siberia. The contract, which commenced in April 2008, will see rig T-500 mobilised less than 100 km from where it has been working under a three-well contract for Achimgaz (Gazprom/Wintershall).

Also in Russia, VCNG (TNK-BP/Rosneft) has issued an LOI for a three-year contract for rig T-2000, commencing 1 June 2008, for its ongoing drilling programme in eastern Siberia.

GeoEnergy GmbH of Germany has awarded KCA DEUTAG a three-year contract, commencing August 2008, for its T-46 land rig. This will be used for geothermal drilling of 10 to 12 wells to depths of 2,800m to 3,800m in Oberrheingraben in Germany.

Also, German utility company Gasag has awarded KCA DEUTAG a contract for its rig T-85 to undertake a six-week workover programme, commencing May 2008, in the B-12 field in Berlin.

Parker Drilling to build new rigs for drilling in Alaska

Parker Drilling Company has received a letter of intent from a BP subsidiary for a contract that will require two newbuild land rigs for a development drilling program in Alaska. The five-year drilling contract carries a five-year option, and operations are anticipated to commence during the second half of 2010.

The new arctic-class rigs incorporate advanced features such as fully enclosed rig modules for operation in arctic conditions down to -50°F; fully automated drilling systems featuring AC technology and variable frequency drive; and design composed of three lightweight Drilling, Mud and Utility modules, enabling the entire rig to be moved in only three loads.

JDC jackup delivered

Japan Drilling Co (JDC) took delivery of its newbuild jackup Hakuryu-10 from the PPL Shipyard in Singapore on 4 June 2008. The Baker Pacific Class 375 design unit is capable of drilling in water depths up to 375 ft and drilling down to 30,000 ft. The rig will be mobilized within the next few months to the Republic of Tunisia to begin operations.

Transocean, Union Drilling sponsor Troops 2 Roughnecks

Transocean and Union Drilling have signed multi-year sponsorship deals with Troop Transition’s Troops 2 Roughnecks program. “Labor issues are front and center in today’s robust oil and gas market. Our sponsors made the decision to invest in a new labor pool – the US Armed Forces,” said Kevin M Denny, Troop Transition CEO and founder.

More than 225,000 servicemen separate from active duty every year, all looking for meaningful post-service employment, Mr Denny said. Troop Transition seeks to channel those veterans into careers through industry-sponsored training and credentialing. Troops 2 Roughnecks’ eight-week course allows active-duty Marines to Control credentials prior to discharge. Sponsors and partner companies then make job offers, contingent on completing the T2R program and an honorable discharge.