Chevron Australia Pty Ltd today announced it had accepted delivery of the newly constructed Atwood Osprey Semi-submersible drilling rig which would begin development drilling operations offshore northwest Australia.
The Atwood Osprey is a 6th Generation Ultra-deepwater Semi-submersible rig able to conventionally moor in up to 8,000 feet (2438m). The rig was built by Jurong Shipyard for Atwood Oceanics who were awarded the construction contract in late 2007 to supply the rig to Chevron for at least three years.
The rig is expected to drill an exploration well before commencing drilling development wells for the Gorgon Project. The development drilling program scheduled for 2011 and 2012 represents the most significant investments Chevron has made in development drilling activities offshore Western Australia.
“Chevron continues to make significant investments in developing Australia’s natural gas resources. The arrival of this newly contracted rig represents our ongoing long-term commitment to grow our natural gas business in Western Australia,” said Chevron Australia managing director Roy Krzywosinski.
Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies and through its Australian subsidiaries, has been present in Australia for almost 60 years. With the ingenuity and commitment of more than 2,000 people, Chevron Australia leads the development of the Gorgon and Wheatstone natural gas projects; manages its equal one-sixth interest in the North West Shelf Venture; and operates Australia’s largest onshore oilfield on Barrow Island and the Thevenard Island oilfields. The company is also a participant in the Browse liquefied natural gas development and is a significant investor in exploration offshore northwest Australia.
In addition, Chevron’s Perth-based Global Technology Centre provides technology support and solutions to the company’s operations in Australia and around the world.
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Source: Chevron, May 18, 2011.