UK: Hess, Awilco Ink USD 144 mln LOI for WilHunter Rig

Awilco Drilling PLC, a UK-based drilling contractor,  has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Hess UK Ltd for the provision of WilHunter semi submersible rig for work related to Hess’ 2013 and 2014 abandonment program in the Central North Sea.

The firm contract duration is 400 days with a contract value of approximately USD 144 million. The contract is expected to commence in Q2 2013.

WilHunter is one of Awilco Drilling’s two Enhanced Pacesetter semi-submersibles and is equipped for drilling in water depths up to 1,500.

Equipment Failure

Operations on the WilHunter, which is drilling the Timon exploration well in the UK North Sea, have been temporarily suspended after incurring technical downtime due to equipment failure.  According to the owner, the rig is expected to resume operations in early June.

Also, Awilco Drilling PLC has mutually agreed to terminate the contract with Endeavour Energy UK Ltd for the drilling of the East and West Rochelle development wells. WilHunter will now drill for Suncor Energy in direct continuation from the contract with Ithaca.

[mappress]
Offshore Energy Today Staff, May 24, 2012