Companies in the News

TWMA has secured a £1-million contract with Azinor Catalyst Limited for the provision of drill cuttings containment and processing services on the Ocean Guardian semisubmersible rig in the central North Sea. The rig is scheduled to drill two wells this year—the Partridge exploration well and the Agar appraisal. TWMA’s three-year contract was scheduled to begin in August, and has two additional one-year options. Photo: TWMA.

Baker Hughes has agreed to provide fullstream support on the Pasca A gas-condensate field, offshore Papua New Guinea in the Gulf of Papua. The agreement with Twinza Oil Ltd. encompasses services and equipment during Phase I of the Pasca A field development—which will include drilling services, wellheads and pressure control equipment for the fourth and final appraisal well. Phase I reportedly will entail the initial production of natural gas liquids, including condensate and LPG, with reinjection of dry gas ahead of Phase II.

Saipem and Petrobel have secured a contract from Eni for engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) activities at Zohr field, off the coast of Egypt. The $900-million contract relates to the field development project’s “optimized ramp up” phase. The scope of work reportedly includes installation of a 30-in. gas export pipeline and an 8-in. service pipeline, as well as EPCI work for the deepwater field development of four wells and the installation of umbilicals. Saipem will deploy several of its vessels, including the Castorone, an ultra-deepwater pipelayer; the DSSaipem F2, a subsea field development ship; the Saipem 3000 (pictured), a subsea construction vessel; and the trenching barge Castoro 10. Work was scheduled to begin in July, and is expected to be complete by the end of 2018. Photo: Saipem.

A general partnership between SNC-Lavalin, Dragados Canada and Pennecon Ltd. has been awarded a construction contract from Husky Energy for the West White Rose project in Newfoundland and Labrador. Under terms of the contract, the companies will build a concrete gravity structure for a fixed drilling platform. The structure—which is expected to reach approximately 475 ft in height, with a base diameter of about 400 ft—reportedly will be constructed on a purpose-built dry dock from 2017 to 2021. Following its installation at White Rose field, the structure will support a topsides module to enable drilling and oil extraction more than 217 mi off the coast of Newfoundland.

Repsol Norge AS has awarded a four-year contract for P&A rig operations to Archer Limited. The scope of work includes permanent plugging and abandonment of wells on the Gyda platform in the southern North Sea. Additionally, it includes drilling and maintenance services, engineering and downhole tool rental services. Archer will provide services on 42 platforms in the North Sea, two in Brazil and one tender-assist barge rig in Greece. The contract also includes three additional two-year extension options.

CNOOC Limited has reported start-up of BD gas field in Indonesia’s Madura Strait. The field—which is expected to reach a peak production of approximately 25,500 boed in 2018—reportedly has two wells in production, which are situated in a water depth of more than 180 ft. Husky-CNOOC Madura Limited operates the field, while Husky and CNOOC Limited each hold a 40% interest. Samudra Energy holds the remaining 20%.

Expro has secured a contract from Maersk Oil for the delivery of subsea and well test services on two offshore units in the North Sea. The agreement extends the companies’ partnership until 2020, with the option for two more one-year extensions. It will see well abandonment services on two rigs for a 26-well campaign across the Janice, James, Affleck and Leadon North developments. Photo: Expro.

Faroe Petroleum has acquired an additional 13.9935% interest in Blane field from JX Nippon E&P Limited. The interest reportedly was acquired for a total consideration of $5.25 million. Blane field, which is situated in the UK North Sea, is a high-margin field with a production rate of approximately 2,900 boed. Additionally, it is said to have potential for reserves growth, field life extension and unit opex reduction. The field is operated by Repsol Norge AS, and JV partners include Dana Petroleum and Repsol Sinopec Resources UK. The acquisition is expected to be complete by year-end.

Dragon Oil, a subsidiary of Emirates National Oil Co. (ENOC), has awarded a $100-million contract to Topaz Energy & Marine for a period of five years, with a two-year option. ENOC operates primarily in the Cheleken Contract Area, in the eastern region of the Caspian Sea, offshore Turkmenistan. Under terms of the agreement, Topaz will supply six vessels, including five anchor-handlers and one emergency recovery and response vessel.

Centrica North Sea Limited has announced a three-year frame agreement with HydraWell. Under terms of the contract, HydraWell will provide P&A technology and services to the “A fields” in the southern North Sea. The contract follows Centrica’s recently submitted proposal to British authorities for the decommissioning of the “A fields”—which include Ann, Audrey, Alison and Annabel—approximately 62 mi northeast of the Norfolk coast. According to the company, there are 23 wells to be plugged and abandoned. HydraWell reportedly will provide annulus integrity testing and perforation, washing and cementing of annulus and inner bore.

Global energy, engineering and infrastructure recruitment agency Spencer Ogden has announced that it will triple the size of its Houston office. Although the company is headquartered in London, its Houston expansion reportedly is in response to the large amount of growth seen in the U.S. market of late. According to the company, the Houston office opened in 2011 with just five employees. Today, it employs more the 50 people locally, and more than 90 people nationwide. Additionally, plans to hire 50 more people this year have been reported.

ION Geophysical Corp. has acquired a 2D multi-client program offshore Panama, which reportedly denotes the first seismic survey to be carried out in the region in approximately 30 years. The survey, PanamaSPAN, is expected to provide the framework to evaluate any hydrocarbon potential that the unexplored area might have.