Shell takes Maersk Drilling rig for Trinidad work

Danish offshore driller Maersk Drilling has been awarded a contract by Shell for the deepwater semi-submersible rig Maersk Developer and extensions for rig contracts by two other clients. 

The contract with Shell covers the drilling and completion of three wells, and the suspension of one well, all located in block E of the East Coast Marine Area (ECMA) offshore Trinidad, the driller informed on Thursday.

Starting in January 2018, the firm contract duration is estimated at eight-nine months with options for more than two years of additional work. The contract also includes the provision by Maersk Drilling of additional in-field integrated services.

“Working with Shell on this project and contributing to delivering gas production in Trinidad is very exciting for Maersk Drilling. The project scope involves a range of integrated services and we look forward to taking on the responsibility for these while deploying Maersk Developer’s advanced drilling capabilities,” says Chief Commercial Officer of Maersk Drilling, Lars Østergaard.

The 2009-built Maersk Developer is currently located in Aruba having completed its last drilling campaign for Repsol Columbia in June 2017.

Extensions for Maersk Resolve & Maersk Resolute

Maersk Drilling has also been awarded a contract extension for the jack-up Maersk Resolve by Wintershall Noordzee B.V. The duration of the contract has been extended from the original 86 days to a minimum of 160-190 days, with further options included.

The initial, one-well contract was awarded to Maersk Resolve in June, bringing the rig back from the warm-stack mode. The rig left the Port of Esbjerg heading to the North Sea in early July.

In addition, Maersk Drilling has entered into an extension of the contract with Petrogas E&P Netherlands for the jack-up Maersk Resolute. The extension covers plug and abandonment work at the Q1 Halfweg platform and brings the contract from 95 days up to a total of 140 days. The total duration of the two extensions is up to 150 days.

The initial, two-well contract for this rig was awarded by Petrogas in January and the rig headed to its offshore location in early June.

“The North Sea is a key market for us, and we remain committed to offering a safe and efficient operation to both Wintershall and Petrogas,” says Lars Østergaard.