Petrodrill IV Ltd. and Petrodrill V Ltd. have reached an agreement with Friede Goldman Halter Inc., Gulfport, Miss., to advance the construction of two Amethyst-class semisubmersible drilling rigs (OGJ Online, June 6, 2000). This phase will take 4-5 months. FGH also plans to consolidate projects at its Pascagoula, Miss., yard, while the West Bank facility undergoes a restoration and upgrade.
Esso Norge AS has issued a letter of intent to Smedvig ASA for use of the deepwater drillship West Navion. The proposed $19 million contract includes drilling of one deepwater exploration well in 1,350 m of water in the Norwegian Sea. Start-up of operations is expected in August 2002.
CSO Aker Marine Contractors Inc., Houston, has moored the Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc.-owned Ocean Confidence in 6,385 ft of water the Gulf of Mexico using a preset taut leg mooring with polyester rope and a proprietary anchoring system. BP PLC has the Ocean Confidence under contract.