ExxonMobil, Helis Oil & Gas contract for Atwood Oceanics rigs

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, Apr. 21 -- Upon completion by mid-May of a well ExxonMobil Exploration & Production Malaysia Inc. is drilling on a platform off Malaysia, the company temporarily will suspend its contract for the Vicksburg jack up—leased from Houston-based drilling contractor Atwood Oceanics Inc. The Vicksburg will be moved to Thailand for a 5 month drilling program for Chevron Offshore (Thailand) Ltd., then redelivered to Malaysia in November to continue another 12 months of its drilling program for ExxonMobil.

Helis Oil & Gas Co. LLC, New Orleans, La., has contracted for Atwood's Richmond cantilever submersible to drill four wells in 120-150 days with options for an additional four, all in the Gulf of Mexico. The rig will move to the first Helis drilling location upon completion of its current contract with Houston-based Bois D'Arc Offshore Ltd., which should be completed in late June.