Report: Statoil’s first Cat-J rig reaches Norway

Statoil’s giant Cat-J jack-up drilling rig has reportedly reached Norway after a long journey from South Korea.

Petro.no, a Norwegian oil and gas news website, was first to report that the Askeladden rig arrived at the CCB based on Thursday afternoon. The news of the arrival was later confirmed to Offshore Energy Today by Statoil.

The name Askeladden, or Ash Lad is the a character from Norwegian folktales, representing a small man who wins in the end, often winning the princess and half the kingdom.

Back from fairytales to the rig – delivered by the Dockwise Blue Marlin heavy lift and transportation vessel, the Askeladden is the first of two Cat-J rigs Samsung Heavy Industries has built for Statoil. The second unit, the Askepott (Cinderella), is expected to arrive in a few week aboard the OHT Hawk vessel.

Ordered in 2013, the new category J rigs will be able to operate in harsh environments at water depths from 70 to 140 meters and drill wells with lengths up to 10,000 meters. The primary use will be drilling and completion of production wells.

The Norwegian base for supply activities to the petroleum fields, Coast Center Base (CCB), is be responsible for the reception of the two newbuild rigs upon their arrival to Norway and preparation ahead of departure to fields.

The two Cat-J rigs will be used for drilling and completing wells on the Oseberg and Gullfaks fields, both located in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, and operated by Statoil.

The introductory Askeladden drilling program focuses on proven reserves and gas blowdown wells on one of the Gullfaks satellite fields. A Statoil spokesperson told Offshore Energy Today on Friday that drilling on Gullfaks would start “within 2017.”

Askepott will primarily drill through the unmanned wellhead platform at Vestflanken 2, which is part of Oseberg.

Baker Hughes and Schlumberger will be in charge of integrated drilling and well services on the two newbuild rigs, according to contracts announced in early 2017.

Offshore Energy Today Staff