Aker BP alliance awards contract extension to Maersk Drilling

Aker BP awarded a two-well contract extension to Maersk Drilling for the ultra-harsh environment, low-emission jack-up rig Maersk Integrator. In continuation of the rig’s current workscope, Maersk Integrator will move to Ivar Aasen field offshore Norway to drill two wells. Work is expected to begin in October. The extension has an estimated duration of 93 days and a contract value of $25.5 million, excluding a potential performance bonus.

Maersk Integrator is contracted under the terms of the alliance agreement Maersk Drilling entered into with Aker BP and Halliburton in 2017 (OGJ Online, Nov. 21, 2017).  It is designed for year-round operations in the North Sea. It was delivered in 2015 and is currently operating offshore Norway for Aker. The rig is expected to perform its scheduled special periodic survey in August and will undergo a series of upgrades to turn it into a hybrid, low-emission rig prior to moving to Tambar field in September.

Ivar Aasen field is in the northern part of the North Sea 175 km west of Karmoy in 110 m of water. The Aker BP-operated field is being developed as a stand-alone platform for partial processing and water conditioning and injection, with transfer of the multiphase hydrocarbon mixture through two pipelines to neighboring Edvard Grieg field for final processing and export. Ivar Aasen field started oil production on Dec. 24, 2016 (OGJ Online, Dec. 30, 2016).