Drilling and well services firm Archer has won a contract to provide drilling services to Talisman Sinopec Energy UK Limited.
The contract will be the first to use the Archer Emerald modular rig on the UK Continental Shelf. The Archer Emerald is currently operating in New Zealand on the Maui A offshore platform.
The initial two-year contract is worth about US$96 million. Mobilization is due to start in the Q1 2016, following a period of rig interface modification.
Kenny Dey, managing director, Archer UK, says: “The Archer Emerald's ground-breaking technology allows for a compact footprint, high specification, fully automated systems and low personnel on board (POB), making it an ideal solution for today’s offshore environment.”
The platform based modular drilling activity will form an integral part of the Talisman UK MAR redevelopment project, which is aimed at prolonging the life of ageing assets and extracting further reserves from the Montrose reservoir.
Archer’s modular rig technology will assist Talisman Sinopec in delivering its expectations in terms of enhanced production from the Montrose wells.