Shell Offshore Inc.'s field development campaign in the Gulf of Mexico has spawned a platform rig construction program of more than $70 million by Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co. (H&P).
In the latest move, Shell awarded H&P a letter of intent calling for the unit of Helmerich & Payne Inc., Tulsa, to design, build, provide, and operate another rig in the gulf. The $20 million dollar unit, designated Rig 203, is destined to start work early in 1997 to develop Shell's Enchilada subsalt discovery in Garden Banks Block 172.
The new rig, rated to 25,000 ft, will be designed to move on and off platforms without the aid of a derrick barge. H&P said the self-moving, compact design features will reduce move times and costs.
H&P also has completed final installation and testing of its new $25 million dollar rig, Rig 201, on Shell's Mars tension leg platform (TLP) in Mississippi Canyon Block 807. Shell is preparing to install the Mars TLP in 2,933 ft of water and start drilling/production in second quarter 1996. The rig has the latest designs in automation and drilling equipment.
In addition, H&P is designing and building Rig 202 for installation on Shell's Ram/Powell TLP during first half 1997. It is similar in design to Rig 201. Shell will install the Ram/Powell TLP in 3,218 ft of water in summer 1997.
Among other contract developments, H&P is upgrading Rig 121 for a 2 year firm contract for BP Exploration Co. (Colombia) Ltd.'s onshore drilling programs in Colombia.
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