Statoil has let contracts for the construction and operation of two tailor-made jack up rigs to be used for drilling at Gullfaks and Oseberg oil fields offshore Norway and to be owned by the license-holders.
Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. will build the rigs, which will be able to drill to 10,000 m in 70-140 m of water in harsh environments and be optimized for drilling and completing subsea wells.
KCA Deutag Drilling Norway AS will perform drilling services and maintenance as the rigs’ operator. The operating and staffing framework is similar to that of leased rigs in conventional drilling contracts, Statoil said.
The company said the new rigs will extend lives of the two mature fields in the northern North Sea.
Gullfaks has been on production since 1986 and now produces about 39,000 b/d of oil. Statoil holds a 70% interest, Petoro AS 30%.
Oseberg, on production since 1988, produces about 59,000 b/d of oil and 8.1 million standard cu m/day of natural gas plus gas liquids. Interests are Statoil 49.3%, Petoro 33.6%, Total E&P Norge AS 14.7%, and ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS 2.4%.
