Tamarind hires COSL rig for Tui wells

Offshore driller COSL Drilling Europe has entered into an agreement with Tamarind Resources for drilling operations with HYSY 982 rig in New Zealand.

Tamarind Resources, the owner of the Tui field, has entered into a contract with COSL Drilling Europe for the semi-submersible rig, Hai Yang Shi You 982 (HYSY 982), which is the sister rig of COSLProspector.

COSL said on Thursday that the contract consists of three firm wells, and options to extend the contract terms for up to one optional side-track development well and up to one optional exploration well, all to be drilled within the Tui permit.

The drilling program is due to start in Q2/Q3 2019, COSL added.

Ian Angell, CEO of Tamarind, commented: “This rig is a new, sixth generation rig, that will bring a new level of sophistication in the drilling of offshore wells in this region. We are excited by the potential that this campaign brings for Tamarind and to be undertaking this program with COSL, who will provide a rig that meets the highest health, safety, environmental and performance standards.”

Tamarind took control of the Tui field in March 2017 following completion of acquisition of a 57.5% interest from AWE Limited.

Tamarind’s New Zealand operations include 3 oil reservoirs – Tui, Amokura, and Pateke in the Tui Area oil field, which is located in the Taranaki Basin, offshore the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. Tamarind is the 100% owner and operator.

Oil is produced from the Tui, Amokura and Pateke oil reservoirs via subsea wells connected to the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, the Umuroa. The FPSO has a storage capacity of 700,000 barrels of stabilized crude oil.