THE sixth generation H-6e class semi-submersible rig, Aker Spitsbergen, is complete and has finally gone on contract with Statoil, initially to work the Halten Nordland sector of the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
Construction of this harsh-environment rig has taken two years longer than originally planned. February 2008 is when the unit should have started work with Statoil on a five-year contract.
This has resulted in significant tensions between the operator and the rig’s owner, Aker Drilling. However, in the event, some 3.5 years of the contract was salvaged.
Geir Sjoberg, Aker Drilling’s president and CEO, said in a statement: “Naturally, the delays and cost increases were disappointments. Now, however, we at Aker Drilling are extremely pleased that Aker Spitsbergen has also commenced operations.”
Statoil continues to hold options to extend the contract five times, each for a period of two years.
However, the Spitzbergen will work for just a few months before being pulled in for modifications to enable it to deal with subsea completions more effectively.
Meanwhile, ExxonMobil has gained consent to conduct exploration drilling in the North Sea using a sister of the Spitzbergen, namely the Aker Barents.
The consent relates to the drilling of exploration well 25/10-10, which is part of production licence 028S.
The well is located about 160km west of Stavanger and about 1.3km west of the Balder field.
According to the application for consent, drilling is scheduled to start this month and to last for 44 days.