Shelf Drilling bags fresh extensions with Chevron for ops in Gulf of Thailand

Shelf Drilling bags fresh extensions with Chevron for ops in Gulf of Thailand

Offshore drilling contractor Shelf Drilling has secured long-term contract extensions with Chevron’s subsidiary, Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, for two jack-up rigs, which will continue operating in the Gulf of Thailand.

The Shelf Drilling Chaopraya rig; Courtesy of Shelf Drilling

Shelf Drilling reported on Monday that it had secured contract extensions for the Shelf Drilling Chaophraya and Shelf Drilling Krathong jack-up rigs with Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production for operations in the Gulf of Thailand.

Shelf Drilling bags fresh extensions with Chevron for ops in Gulf of Thailand
The Shelf Drilling Chaopraya rig; Courtesy of Shelf Drilling

David Mullen, Chief Executive Officer of Shelf Drilling, remarked: “We are very pleased to announce the contract extensions for the Shelf Drilling Chaophraya and Shelf Drilling Krathong with Chevron in the Gulf of Thailand. The high specification jack-up rigs were uniquely built fit for purpose for Gulf of
Thailand drilling activity. The extension of both rigs further demonstrates our valued relationship with Chevron and our commitment to the Kingdom of Thailand.”

The Shelf Drilling Krathong rig; Source: Shelf Drilling
The Shelf Drilling Krathong rig; Source: Shelf Drilling

The company explains that the extensions are in direct continuation of the planned out of service projects at the end of each rig’s current contract with the same client.

The duration of the contract extension for the Shelf Drilling Chaophraya rig is 39 months, while the Shelf Drilling Krathong rig’s extension is for 36 months and the start of these contracts is expected in the third quarter of 2022 and the fourth quarter of 2022, respectively.

According to Shelf Drilling’s fleet status report from November 2021, the Shelf Drilling Chaophraya rig has been under a contract with Chevron in Thailand since December 2016, while the Shelf Drilling Krathong jack-up rig has been under a contract with the same client since June 2017.

To remind, the Shelf Drilling Krathong rig – delivered in April 2017 by the UAE-based offshore rig builder Lamprell – was designed and constructed according to the specifications of its sister rig, the Shelf Drilling Chaopraya, which was delivered to Shelf Drilling in September 2016.

The two LeTourneau Super 116 Enhanced Class offshore drilling rigs feature high specification offshore drilling technology, as well as accommodation for up to 160 people.