Maersk Drilling and BP are to join forces to work on designs for new deep water drilling rigs.
The firms said they are to collaborate on concepts for deepwater drilling units that can operate in high-pressure and high-temperature reservoirs up to 20,000 pounds per square inch and 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
The project is to be part of BP’s Project 20KTM, a multi-year initiative to develop next-generation systems and tools for deep water exploration and production.
BP said the use of this technology across its own portfolio alone could potentially access an additional 10-20billion barrels of resources.
“We are proud to enter into this partnership with BP and see it as recognition of Maersk Drilling’s technological achievements and competencies,” said Claus Hemmingsen, chief executive at Maersk Drilling.
“The technology developed will move the boundaries of the offshore drilling industry and will enable access to resources that are inaccessible with today’s technology.”
The multi-year partnership will focus on evaluating potential rig concepts that could be used in BP’s deepwater portfolio.
A jointly-staffed engineering team will be located in Houston, with back-office support from Maersk Drilling’s headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The team will perform the engineering studies required to select the optimal design of the 20KTM drilling rigs, riser and blowout prevention equipment.
BP will then determine how best to proceed with construction.
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