TotalFinaElf SA subsidiary Elf Exploration Angola has terminated its 3-year contract on Transocean Sedco Forex Inc.'s newbuild semisubmersible Sedco Express. Elf said it was exercising its contractual right to terminate the contract because the rig was not delivered by Dec. 28. The operator said Transocean's latest estimate of rig delivery did not match its short-term drilling priorities in Angola. Transocean said it is in discussions with several companies to lease the vessel, which is undergoing testing and commissioning off the Canary Islands.
The US Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule Jan. 22 setting standards for discharging synthetic-based drilling fluids. The rules apply to operations more than 3 miles from shore; no discharges are allowed within 3 miles. EPA said the rule would reduce discharges 118 million lb/year and air emissions nearly 3,000 tons/year. It said the rule saving operators $48.9 million/year.
Enterprise Oil PLC and partners selected Dril-Quip Inc. to supply 16 subsea wellheads, 16 subsea production trees, and services for the Bijupira-Salema development project off Brazil. The order is worth $27 million. Delivery is expected to begin in July and continue through 2003.
