Cantarell IV starts drilling on Xikín field offshore Mexico

July 12, 2019

Offshore staff

MEXICO CITY – Grupo R has spudded Xikín – 32, the first offshore drilling program in Mexican waters approved by the new administration of PEMEX Exploration and Production (PEP).

Xikín field is the first of 16 offshore fields PEP plans to develop to increase its oil production.

Grupo R has deployed its newest jackup, the Cantarell IV self-elevating drilling rig, for the program.

The rig, newly constructed by Keppel Shipyard in Singapore, arrived in Mexico on April 20.

This is a KFELS B Class jackup designed to operate in water depths of up to 400 ft (122 m) and to drill to depths of 30,000 ft (9,144 m).

It is equipped with a fully-automated high capacity rack and pinion jacking system and can accommodate 150 personnel.

07/12/2019