Statoil signed three drilling contracts to extend its use of three semisubmersible drilling rigs offshore Norway to help reach the firm’s previously announced 2020 production target of 2.5 million boe/d.
The contracts, which are valued at a total of $1.6 billion, excluding options, involve production drilling for several fast-track developments as well as drilling and completion on the Norwegian continental shelf.
The Bideford Dolphin, owned by Dolphin Drilling AS of Norway, will be used for production drilling on Tordis and Vigdis fields and also Statfjord field in the North Sea. The contract will run from first-quarter 2014 until first-quarter 2017. Statoil has a potential option for 2 more years.
The Stena Don, owned by Stena Drilling Ltd., Aberdeen, will be used for production drilling on Troll field and for Fram H-Nord, a North Sea fast-track development. The contract will run from fourth-quarter 2013 until fourth-quarter 2016 with a 1-year extension option.
The Scarabeo 5, owned by Saipem, will be used for drilling and completion of production wells on various fields. The contract will run from third-quarter 2014 until third-quarter 2017 with a 1-year extension option.