Neptune signs Beacon Atlantic for North Sea Gjøa satellite wells

March 20, 2019
Neptune Energy Norge has contracted CIMC Offshore’s newbuild harsh environment semisub Beacon Atlantic to drill six development wells in the Norwegian North Sea.

Offshore staff

STAVANGER, Norway – Neptune Energy Norge has contracted CIMC Offshore’s newbuild harsh environment semisub Beacon Atlantic to drill six development wells in the Norwegian North Sea.

Odfjell Drilling will operate and manage the rig for the campaign.

Starting at the end of this year, the rig will drill three wells on the Duva (ex-Cara) field followed potentially by another three development wells in the northernmost part of the Gjøa field, the P1 segment.

In both cases, production will head to the Gjøa semisubmersible platform.

Neptune also has options to use the rig for exploration drilling.

Duva is 12 km (7.5 mi) from the Gjøa platform. Neptune expects first oil here by late 2020, and in P1’s case, by early 2021.

Erik Oppedal, Projects & Engineering Manager at Neptune Energy in Norway, said: “The rig has 1½ derrick efficiency, allowing parallel operations and thus ensuring an efficient drilling program.

“We already have competent personnel present at the yard for follow-up and implementation jointly with Odfjell Drilling. Sail-away is scheduled in the summer of 2019 and the rig is expected to arrive at the first drilling location in the fourth quarter of 2019.”

TheBeacon Atlantic is currently at CIMC Raffles yard in Yantai, China undergoing final commissioning and sea trials.

03/20/2019