Report: Spirit Energy hires AHTS trio for Island Innovator rig move

Spirit Energy, the E&P joint venture between Centrica’s E&P business and Bayerngas Norge, has reportedly hired three anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels for rig moving operations in Norway.

According to VesselsValue, a maritime and offshore analytics company, Spirit Energy hired the Havila Jupiter, the Normand Prosper, and the KL Saltfjord on a 21-day spot contract.

The vessels will be involved in moving the Island Innovator semi-submersible drilling rig to an offshore drilling location in Norway.

The fixing date of the deal for the trio was on Tuesday, January 30, with the contract start date set on the same day. The end date is set for February 19.

As for the financial details, Havila Jupiter and Normand Prosper were hired on a dayrate of NOK 120,000 ($15,500) each, while the KL Saltfjord was hired on a NOK 125,000 ($16,200) per day deal.

The Normand Prosper and KL Saltfjord are, according to latest AIS data, moored in Bergen while the Havila Jupiter is expected to arrive there later on Tuesday. The Island Innovator offshore drilling rig is currently in warm lay-up in Hanoytangen, near Bergen.

Earlier this month, Spirit Energy was granted a drilling permit by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) for an appraisal well at the Fogelberg project in the Norwegian Sea.

Before the permit, the company was given consent by the Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) to use the Island Innovator for drilling and testing wildcat wells at the same field. At the time, the PSA said that drilling operations were expected to begin in February.

To remind, the rig was hired by Spirit Energy last September for one HTHP appraisal well at the Fogelberg field with options for two additional wells.

As for the rig, the Island Innovator semi-submersible drilling rig is of a Global Maritime GM4000 type, delivered by the COSCO Shipyard in China in 2012. It is owned by Island Drilling Company, operated by Odfjell Drilling and classified by DNV GL.

Offshore Energy Today Staff