Woodside swaps Atwood rigs

Australian energy company Woodside has transferred a drilling contract from one of Atwood Oceanics’ rigs to another one for work on the Greater Enfield Project, off Australia. 

Atwood informed on Thursday that its operating subsidiary in Australia and Woodside have agreed to change the drilling services contract for the semi-submersible Atwood Osprey effective February 2, 2017, replacing the semi-sub Atwood Condor for the Atwood Osprey for the Greater Enfield Project campaign.

The work scope is expected to start by first calendar quarter 2018 at an operating rate of $222,295 per day and for a total of 12 wells. The mobilization fee will be $36.5 million.

The driller further stated that Woodside and its Australian operating subsidiary have also reached a new agreement to utilize the Atwood Osprey for an additional exploration well. Drilling of the exploration well is expected to start in 2018 at an operating rate of $190,000 per day.

Rob Saltiel, President and CEO of Atwood Oceanics, commented, “This agreement ensures that the Atwood Condor remains working into mid-2019, while enhancing the drilling efficiency of the Greater Enfield Project.

“The additional well on the Atwood Osprey adds to our 2018 revenue backlog and increases our confidence that we can maintain continuous drilling operations on the Osprey in Australia.”