Maersk Drilling has been awarded a contract for the harsh environment jackup rig Mærsk Gallant, following a competitive tendering exercise by Nexen Petroleum UK, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNOOC Ltd.
The contract covers the drilling of the high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) exploration Glengorm well, in the UK sector of the North Sea. The contract duration is estimated for 140 days and is expected to start in Q3 2017.
Mærsk Gallant is currently on contract with Maersk Oil, performing plug and abandonment operations of the Leadon and James subsea fields in the UK sector of the North Sea. However, in agreement with Maersk Oil, this campaign will be put on hold while the drilling of the Glengorm well is ongoing for Nexen. Following the drilling campaign for Nexen, Mærsk Gallant will return to complete the plug and abandonment operations of the Leadon and James fields in April 2018.
Image of the Mærsk Gallant, from Maersk Drilling.