Equinor picks Seadrill rig for up to 11 wells in Barents Sea

Offshore driller Seadrill has scored a contract for its West Hercules semi-submersible drilling rig with Equinor.

Under the contract, the rig will drill two exploration wells in the Barents Sea, starting in the spring of 2019.

Equinor will have options to extend the contract for nine additional wells. The rig is primarily assigned for exploration drilling.

The contract is based on a master framework agreement established between Seadrill and Equinor.

Worth noting, the rig is already on a contract with Equinor, which has this week obtained approval to drill a wildcat well, labeled 7324/3-1, license 615 in the Barents Sea.

Geir Tungesvik, Equinor’s senior vice president for Drilling & Well Services said: “We have already prepared a drilling programme for West Hercules, scheduled to start this autumn. We are now looking forward to continuing our cooperation with this rig. It can do regular exploration drilling, drilling in formations with high pressure and high temperature, it is winterized and can drill in deep waters.”

The rig is well suited for operations on the Norwegian continental shelf. By signing a framework agreement with Seadrill, we demonstrate that we want a long-term cooperation with this supplier,” says Geir Tungesvik, Equinor’s senior vice president for Drilling & Well Services.

This is a second rig deal announced by Seadrill this week. The company on Tuesday informed it had won a $24 million deal for its West Aquarius rig with ExxonMobil Canada. The start is expected between May and July 2019.

Offshore Energy Today Staff