Petronas awards offshore Gabon drilling contract

Petronas subsidiary PC Gabon Upstream SA (PCGUSA) has let a contract to Maersk Drilling for the Maersk Viking drillship for an ultra-deepwater exploration well in Block F13 offshore Gabon in 2,100 m of water.

The one-well contract is expected to commence in this year’s third quarter, in direct continuation of the rig’s previous work scope with Korea National Oil Corp., with an estimated duration of 60 days. The contract value is about $24 million, including mobilization and demobilization fees.

Maersk Viking is currently operating offshore Brunei Darussalam. Following completion of the contract with PCGUSA, the rig will move on to commence the previously announced four-well contract with Shell Malaysia.