Drilling/Production news briefs, Oct. 20

Oct. 20, 2000
Petrobras � OSCA � Parker Drilling � Tengizchevroil � Offshore Kazakhstan International Operating Co. � Petrolex Energy � International Technical Solutions � Statoil � Norsk Hydro � GE Aeroderivative & Package Services � ABS Group


Brazil's Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) has awarded a downhole tool contract for the deepwater Roncador field off Brazil to OSCA Inc., Lafayette, La., a provider of specialized oil and gas well completion products and services. That award, coupled with Petrobras' recent decision to extend its marine services contract utilizing OSCA's multipurpose vessel Elkhorn River, will generate more than $10 million in revenue for OSCA during the next year, said OSCA.

Parker Drilling Co.'s Rig 249 spudded a well Oct. 14 on the Tengiz field in Kazakhstan for Tengizchevroil, a partnership of Chevron Corp., ExxonMobil Corp., KazakhOil, and LukArco. The well was expected to be spudded in August (OGJ Online, Aug. 21, 2000). Drilling operations will focus on production drilling at average depths of 15,000 ft, said Parker Drilling, although there will be some exploration and re-entry work. Another Parker Drilling unit, Rig 258, is nearing completion and will begin operations for Tengizchevroil in the first quarter of 2001. Rig 107 is currently providing workover and completion operations in the field. In the Caspian Sea, Parker Drilling's Rig 257, working for the Offshore Kazakhstan International Operating Co., spudded a second well in the West Kashagan block Oct. 7. The well should be finished in mid-2001.

Petrolex Energy Corp. said this week that reactivated wells in the Rubiales oil field in Colombia have produced 27,677 bbl of oil in 20 days. Most of that oil was transported by truck from the field; the remainder is temporarily stored at the field. The five wells are producing 1,250-1,500 b/d of oil, said Petrolex. Another five wells are being reactivated. International Technical Solutions Inc., Houston, reactivated the wells at its own expense to earn a 9% interest in the field through the Petrolex subsidiary Tethys Petroleum, officials said. ITS will have the right to purchase 11% more at the rate of $275,000/1%. Petrolex owns the remaining interest in the field.

Statoil and Norsk Hydro AS awarded a contract worth more than $75 million to GE Aeroderivative & Package Services, an affiliate of General Electric Co., to provide repair and field services for GE aeroderivative gas turbines owned by Statoil and Norsk Hydro. The 4-year agreement has an option for a 2-year extension. It covers at least 85% of the depot repairs and field service on 87 gas turbines plus 10 spare engines on Statoil and Norsk Hydro North Sea production platforms. These gas turbines are used for both mechanical drive and power generation service. Any new GE gas turbines delivered to Statoil and Norsk Hydro over the contract period will be covered by this agreement.

Petroleo Brasileiro SA has awarded ABS Group Inc. what ABS claims is the first contract for an integrated, risk-based inspection program for an offshore floating structure. ABS will inspect the P-35 floating production, storage, and offloading vessel, which is operating in the Campos basin off Brazil. The FPSO is on the Marlin field in 2,788 ft of water.