By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Sept. 14 -- Petro-Canada has signed several drilling rig contracts over the next 18 months for work associated with its international exploration program.
The company expects to begin a multiwell exploration and field development program in the UK North Sea near yearend and plans to begin drilling in Trinidad and Tobago in 2007, said Nick Maden, vice-president of exploration.
Maden added, "Work in the Zotti Block in Algeria will start in the fourth quarter of this year, and we now expect drilling on Block II in Syria to commence early in the first quarter of 2007."
Petro-Canada has secured the Global Santa Fe Glomar Arctic III semisubmersible to be used in its UK work program, which includes development of Saxon oil field, in-fill drilling in Guillemot oil field, and three exploration wells, two of which recently were awarded in the 23rd licensing round. This contract is for 1 year.
Another contract is for Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc.'s Ocean Worker semisubmersible, which will start a 6-month, multiwell program on Block 22 in Trinidad and Tobago in the second half of 2007. Also at that time, the Rowan Gorilla III jack-up will arrive on the Caribbean island for a 6-month, four-well program in Blocks 1a and 1b. This contract has an extension option to include an additional two wells.