TotalEnergies contract takes Stena drillship to Suriname

French energy firm TotalEnergies has awarded offshore drilling contractor Stena Drilling with a contract under which its drillship will be deployed in Suriname.

Under the contract, the Stena DrillMAX will be used for managed pressure drilling of one exploration well for TotalEnergies EP Suriname B.V.

The program is expected to start in the second quarter of this year and includes the option to be extended for up to an additional three wells in Suriname.

The 2008-built Stena DrillMAX is the first of the DrillMAX series vessels and is a harsh environment DP Class 3 drillship capable of drilling in water depths up to 10,000 ft. With a maximum drilling depth of 35,000 ft, the drillship can accommodate 180 people.

It became the first drillship to be awarded DNV’s Abate (P) notation back in December 2023. The notation came after the offshore drilling player implemented an energy management system across its fleet.

Stena DrillMAX previously worked on an exploration drilling program with ExxonMobil in Newfoundland and Labrador. After this, it was slated to return to Guyana to continue working with other rigs ExxonMobil contracted for its 35-well exploration and appraisal drilling campaign in the Stabroek block.