Solstad Farstad duo to assist in Total’s South African drilling campaign

French oil major Total has awarded contracts to Norwegian shipping company Solstad Farstad for two of its vessels.

Solstad Farstad said on Wednesday that the contracts were awarded by Total’s South African entity for the provision of the Normand Ranger large anchor handling vessel (AHTS) and the Far Starling platform supply vessel (PSV).

The two deals are for the support of Total E&P South Africa’s drilling campaign in Block 11B/12B for one firm well with a one well option.

According to the company, the drilling campaign is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The duration of the contracts is likely to be around 90 days for the firm well plus mobilization and demobilization time.

Lars Peder Solstad, the company’s CEO, said: “This is a very exciting project to be involved in so we are delighted to be chosen by Total to partner them on this remote harsh environment drilling campaign”

As for the block, 11B/12B is located in the Outeniqua Basin approximately 175 kilometers off the southern coast of South Africa. The block covers an area of approximately 18,734 square kilometers with water depths ranging from 200 meters in the north to 2,000 meters in the south.