Equinor lets rig contract for Martin Linge

Equinor AS has let a contract to Maersk for the hybrid jack-up rig Maersk Intrepid to drill three wells and plug one on Martin Linge oil and gas field in the North Sea.

The contract, valued at $100 million, is scheduled to take effect in September and includes an option to drill one well. The contract value includes rig modifications and upgrades and exclusive of intervention activities, integrated services and any incentive payments for safe and efficient operations. The integrated services in the rig contract are managed pressure drilling (MPD), slop treatment, cuttings handling and tubular running services.

“This will be the first jack-up rig to have a hybrid package retrofit as one of several initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during operations. The rig will also be prepared for the use of automated drilling technology. So far, the rig has been used to improve the bed capacity on the Martin Linge platform,” said Erik Gustav Kirkemo, senior vice president for drilling and well, Equinor.

Martin Linge field lies 42 km west of Oseberg in water depth of 115 m. The main reservoir is structurally complex and contains gas and condensate at high pressure and high temperature. There are three reservoirs in Middle Jurassic sandstones in the Brent Group at a depth of 3,700-4,400 m. Oil has also been found in the Frigg formation of Eocene age. The main reservoir is located at a depth of 1,750 m and the reservoir quality is good. The field is scheduled to come on stream at the end of this year.

Equinor operates Martin Linge with 70% (OGJ Online, Nov. 27, 2017). Petoro holds the remaining interest.