Following a drilling campaign in Mexico, a Valaris-owned jack-up rig has arrived in Trinidad and is now preparing for a new campaign with BP, which is expected to begin in October.
As recently reported, the Valaris 118 , formerly known as Joe Douglas , has completed its campaign in Mexico where it worked for Fieldwood and departed for its next assignment in Trinidad .
BP’s subsidiary, bp Trinidad and Tobago (bpTT), announced on Monday the arrival of the rig at Chaguaramas, saying it would be proceeding to Mango drilling site – situated approximately 48km off the Galeota Point on Trinidad’s southeast coast – to begin its scheduled drilling programme in early October.
This drilling programme, inclusive of both development and exploration drilling, is key for bpTT to continue to find and develop small pools of resources within the Columbus Basin, the company explained.
The first phase of the drilling programme will involve development drilling of three wells in the Mango field and one well in the Savonette field .
If this drilling phase is successful, these gas resources will be processed through the existing Mango and Savonette production platforms and could add production in late 2022/early 2023.
The second phase of the drilling programme includes the potential for three additional wells in the Angelin field and this phase is currently progressing through the sanction process.
Claire Fitzpatrick , regional president, bpTT, commented: “We are excited to welcome back the Joe Douglas drilling rig to bpTT. This rig signals the resumption of our small pools (infill) drilling programme. This drilling programme is aimed at getting after smaller pools of resources in the Columbus Basin.
“These smaller pools are close to our existing infrastructure which means we can bring gas online quickly – this will help deliver the secure, affordable and lower carbon energy that the world needs.”
Earlier this month, Valaris revealed new contracts and contract extension awards for one semi-submersible rig and three jack-up rigs , with an associated contract backlog of $149 million.