Awilco seeks more rig work as Alpha drilling contract gets pushed

UK-based offshore driller Awilco Drilling is looking for additional work for its semi-submersible rig WilPhoenix to fill in the gap between two contracts. 

Back in September, the semi-sub rig WilPhoenix was awarded a contract with Alpha Petroleum for work on the Cheviot field in the northern part of the UK North Sea. Alpha Petroleum plans to drill 18 development wells. The firm program has an estimated duration of 1080 days.

According to Awilco’s statement on Monday, the letter of award with Alpha Petroleum remains in place. However, the start date has been pushed from the second quarter of 2018 to late third quarter of 2018.

This gives Awilco Drilling the opportunity to seek infill work for the period between this program and the end of the Apache contract, which is expected to be in the second quarter of 2018.

Consequently, the WilPhoenix is now actively marketed for summer 2018 work, the driller concluded.

The WilPhoenix is one of Awilco Drilling’s two Enhanced Pacesetter semi-submersibles and is equipped for drilling in water depths up to 1,200 ft. The rig is currently under contract with Apache on a $387.500 dayrate. The deal expires in late April of 2018.

Offshore Energy Today Staff