Repsol Norge AS will take over daily operations of the Mærsk Inspirer jack-up rig from Maersk Drilling (MD) at Yme field in Block 9/2 and 9/5, Egersund basin, about 100 km from the Norwegian coast in the Southern North Sea.
MD will sell Mærsk Inspirer to Havila Sirius AS, and Yme licensees will lease the rig from Havila under a bareboat charter where Yme will take ownership of the rig at the end of the lease period. The reorganization of operations is expected to add positive cash flow for Yme license partners. Production is expected in second-half 2021.
The Yme new development project consists of the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation of a new wellhead module on top of existing facilities at Yme field, the modifications and upgrading of the Maersk Inspirer, and subsequent hook-up of the unit to existing wells and seabed installations offshore.
The Maersk Inspirer was installed at Yme field on Dec. 31, 2020.
The transaction is subject to conditions, including relevant authorities’ approval.
Repsol is operator of Yme field with 55% interest. Partners are Lotos Exploration and Production Norge AS (20%), Kufpec Norway AS (10%), and Okea ASA (15%).