Petroceltic has awarded a contract to drill development wells at the Ain Tsila gas and condensate field in Algeria to Sinopec Petroleum Service.
The 1500 horse power rig, which is now built and ready to ship, will drill up to 24 new development wells.
The company said the first 12 drilling locations – all in the northern region of the field – have been selected and approved.
Brian O’Cathain, chief executive of Petroceltic, said: “We are pleased with the award of the rig contract to SINOPEC, a company with extensive experience in Algeria.”
The FEED contract was previously awarded in September 2014 to Chicago Bridge and Iron is also said to be progressing well.
The Groupement Isarene, which is the joint organisation responsible for the Ain Tsila field development plan, is made up of Sonatrach, Petroceltic and Enel.