Statoil: Good result in Oseberg Area

The Polar Pioneer drilling rig at Skrugard in the Barents Sea. 
(Photo: Harald Pettersen) 

According to the Statoil website, Statoil and its partners are in the process of concluding drilling operations in the exploration well 30/6-28S located in the production license PL053 in the Oseberg Area Unit.

The well drilled by the rig COSL Pioneer proved an oil column of 12 metres in the Statfjord Formation. The estimated volume of the discovery is in the range of 12-18 million barrels of recoverable oil equivalents.

“The oil discovery is located beneath the Oseberg field and is a good candidate to be connected to the Oseberg production facilities. These could be fast and high-value barrels for the partnership,” says Knut Henrik Dalland, vice president Operations Oseberg.

The oil discovery lies in the Crimp prospect, which was the secondary target for the exploration well 30/6-28S. The primary target was the Crux prospect that Statoil earlier defined as a high impact gas opportunity.

With the Crux prospect Statoil tested a hypothesis for the existence of a separate gas-filled structure underlying the Oseberg field. However, the Crux prospect did not contain hydrocarbons.

“The well 30/6-28S had two objectives. First, to test a new play in the area – the Crux prospect, which was a high risk / high reward opportunity. Second, to test an infrastructure-near prospect called Crimp, with relatively modest volumes but attractive economics. Unfortunately, we have not found gas in the Crux prospect, but we are pleased with the oil discovery in Crimp. Even though our high impact opportunity has not materialised, we have delivered some valuable additional resources to the Oseberg Unit,” says Tore Løseth, vice president Exploration Licenses North Sea.

After completion of the exploration well 30/6-28S, the COSL Pioneer drilling rig will move to the Glitne field.

Exploration well 30/6-28S is situated in the production license PL053 in the Oseberg Area Unit in the North Sea. Statoil is the operator and has a 49.3 % interest. The partners are Petoro AS (33.6 %), Total E&P Norge AS (10.0 %), ExxonMobil E&P Norway AS (4.7 %) and ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS (2.4 %).

Source: Statoil

Posted on 3/25/2012 / 0 comments / Read More

Chinese Shipyard Wins Orders for Two Floatels

Offshore Energy Today reported on 23rd March 2012 the Chinese shipbuilder, Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Offshore Co. has secured orders to build two state-of-the art floating accommodation semi-submersible units. The units, estimated at USD 315 million each, will be built for a newly set up accommodation rigs contractor, Sirius Offshore Accommodation.

This news media also added Sirius Offshore Accommodation, that is currently working on establishing an office in Cyprus, will have options for two additional accommodation rigs. The rigs are expected to be the largest Norwegian Continental Shelf compliant acommodation units, and will be capable of year-round harsh environment operations. Presently, only two such rigs are capable of year round operations on the NCS, the Prosafe newbuild Safe Boreas and Floatel International’s Floatel Superior.

Swedish Bassoe Technology AB will be responsible for provision of basic engineering and follow up during detailed engineering of the units which are expected to be delivered in Q4 2014.


Source: Offshore Energy Today

Posted on 3/25/2012 / 0 comments / Read More

Primier to hire Awilco's WilPhoenix

UK based Awilco Drilling PLC has signed a Letter of Award (LOA) with Premier Oil Limited for the provision of WilPhoenix for the drilling of two firm exploration wells estimated at 30 days each with the option to drill up to two additional wells.

The contract value for the firm period is estimated to be about USD 17.4 million. The contract is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2012.

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.

Source: Awilco Drilling

Posted on 3/25/2012 / 0 comments / Read More

Technip awarded major subsea contract for BP in UK North Sea

Technip’s UK entity has been awarded a contract by BP and partners to develop the subsea infrastructure for the Quad 204 project, located West of Shetland. This is Technip’s largest contract to date in the UK North Sea, worth approximately €600 million (around £500 million).

The Quad 204 project, approved in July 2011, involves replacing the existing Schiehallion production facility with a new purpose built FPSO, and installing extensive new subsea infrastructure. This major re-development will enable the potential recovery of an additional 450 million barrels of resource and extend production through to 2035.

The contract awarded to Technip UK covers a broad scope of work, including:

• removal of the existing Schiehallion FPSO and mooring system, • recovery of all existing flexible risers and dynamic umbilical systems, • positioning and installation of a new FPSO and associated mooring system and anchor piles, • supply and installation of 21 dynamic flexible risers, • installation of four static and dynamic umbilicals, • coating, welding and installation of 15 steel pipelines, totaling 50 kilometers, • supply and installation of numerous flexible jumpers, • installation of various manifolds, jumpers and infrastructure associated with the field development.

Frédéric Delormel, Executive Vice President and COO Subsea stated: “This award is proof that the North Sea is still an important source of opportunities for large and technological developments. The award follows several other contract successes in the UK for Technip and further reinforces our leadership in the region, as well as our relationship with a major client.”

Knut Boe, Senior Vice President, Technip’s North Sea Canada Region said: “We are extremely pleased to be supporting BP with the Quad 204 project. It is a significant milestone for the United Kingdom Continental Shelf both in terms of size and scope and is a fantastic example of Technip’s ability to deliver large, complex developments. Furthermore, as a result of Quad204 and other contract wins we will be looking to grow our Aberdeen based team over the next year.”

Trevor Garlick, Regional President BP North Sea, said: “We are investing in North Sea assets with growth potential. The re-development of the Schiehallion and Loyal fields are a key part of this. We look forward to working with Technip UK to deliver what is one of the UK’s largest ever subsea installation contracts.”

The offshore campaign is expected to begin in 2013. Technip’s UK based office near Aberdeen will project manage the contract and the spoolbase in Evanton, Ross-Shire will fabricate the 15 steel pipelines. Technip’s facility in Le Trait, France will manufacture all flexible pipelines. Various vessels from Technip’s fleet will be used to execute this project and these will also be managed from the Aberdeen office.

Sorce: Technip

Posted on 3/25/2012 / 0 comments / Read More