Morocco: Cairn gets rig for West Africa exploratory program

Cairn Energy PLC has secured a long-term contract for the Transocean Cajun Express semisubmersible for a multicountry West African exploratory drilling campaign to begin in the second half of 2013.

The rig, on an initial 1-year contract, will be used on Cairn Energy’s program in Senegal, Morocco, and potentially other areas. Subject to obtaining the necessary approvals, the rig will be mobilized to begin operations offshore Morocco on the Foum Draa license.

Cajun Express is a deepwater, fifth generation, dynamically positioned semi with shallow mooring capabilities and a 15,000-psi BOP stack. The historic performance of the Cajun Express indicates it is a highly efficient rig with low operating downtime, Cairn Energy said.