ConocoPhillips in early cancellation of Rowan jack-up contract

Oil major ConocoPhillips has reportedly opted for an early cancellation of a drilling contract with Rowan Companies for its jack-up drilling rig Rowan Gorilla VI. 

The Rowan Gorilla VI is a LeTourneau Technologies Super Gorilla Class rig built in 2000. With a leg length of 607 ft, the rig is capable of operating in a maximum water depth of 400 ft.

Rowan’s jack-up rig drilling rig is working for ConocoPhillips offshore Norway under a dayrate of $362,000. The rig’s original contract was set to expire in March 2018.

According to Offshore.no, a Norwegian-language website covering the country’s offshore oil and gas industry, ConocoPhillips decided to terminate the contract for the rig once the jack-up completes the plugging and abandonment operations at the Ekofisk field, offshore Norway.

This will bring the number of Rowan rigs working in Norway to only one, the Rowan Viking which operates for Lundin.

The Norwegian news website also stated that it is yet unknown how many workers will lose their jobs because of the termination.

Offshore Energy Today reached out to ConocoPhillips as well as the offshore driller seeking confirmation and further details on the drilling contract cancellation.

In an e-mail to Offshore Energy Today, a spokesperson for ConocoPhillips has confirmed that the Rowan Gorilla VI will be completing the P&A campaign (23 wells) on Ekofisk 2/4 A during 2016.

The spokesperson further added that, as the rig will be completing its job on Ekofisk ahead of planned schedule, it will be released from the contract when the wells are plugged.

The article has been updated with ConocoPhillips statement. 

Offshore Energy Today Staff