BG books drillship for Tanzania wells

April 28, 2011
BG Group has contracted the new drillship Deep Sea Metro I for its next deepwater exploration campaign off Tanzania.

Offshore staff

BERGEN, Norway – BG Group has contracted the new drillship Deep Sea Metro I for its next deepwater exploration campaign off Tanzania.

Odfjell Drilling will manage and operate this program on behalf of the Deepsea Metro venture. The $175-million contract has a firm duration of 365 days with three six-month options.

Deepsea Metro I, built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), will drill its first well be Woodside Energy offshore South Korea prior to start of operations in Tanzania. The vessel is undergoing sea trials, to be followed by final commissioning and system integration testing prior to delivery on May 31.

Sister drillship Deepsea Metro II will be delivered from HHI in November.

The Metrostar Group has 60% ownership in the two vessels, the remainder held by Odfjell Drilling, which is contractually responsible for construction follow-up and management.

04/28/2011