Awilco’s semi-sub resumes North Sea ops for Apache

UK-based offshore drilling contractor Awilco Drilling has confirmed that the semi-sub WilPhoenix has moored at Apache’s drilling location in the UK North Sea. 

The drilling contractor reported on Monday that its 1982-built drilling rig WilPhoenix resumed operations at Apache’s drilling location on the Storr field on Sunday, June 26.

To remind, the rig completed the yard stay in Hartlepool in April. However, at the time, Apache did not agree that the rig was ready to drill nor that Awilco Drilling was entitled to a standby rate.

Awilco said earlier in June that the rig was ready to leave the yard in Hartlepool in order to continue working for Apache with 22 months left under its three-year contract.

WilPhoenix is one of Awilco Drilling’s two enhanced pacesetter semi-submersibles and is equipped for drilling in water depths up to 1,200 ft. Awilco’s other semi-sub, WilHunter, is hot stacked in Invergordon since July 2015.

Offshore Energy Today Staff