Chrysaor awards North Sea job to Rowan jack-up

Offshore driller Rowan Companies has won a contract in the UK North Sea for one of its Super Gorilla Class jack-up rigs.

Rowan said on Friday that the Rowan Gorilla VII rig was awarded a deal with a private UK-based oil company Chrysaor for work in the UK sector of the North Sea.

The driller added that the contract was expected to begin imminently for 18 months of work followed by two one-year options.

Tom Burke, president and CEO, said: “Rowan’s solid position in the harsh environment North Sea jack-up region is further strengthened by this commitment from Chrysaor. We look forward to delivering safe and reliable operations to our new customer.”

As for the Rowan Gorilla VII, it is a Super Gorilla Class ultra-harsh environment jack-up rig designed by LeTourneau and built in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 2001.

The rig can operate in a maximum water depth of 450 feet and drill to a maximum depth of 35,000.

The Rowan Gorilla VII’s previous contract was with Perenco. The contract ended in February since Perenco did not exercise its extension options for 15 to 110 days. Following the contract expiration, the rig underwent life enhancement in a UK shipyard.

The life enhancements work on the rig was recently completed and included a new top drive, and upgrades to the blowout preventer (BOP) and drilling controls.