NRG examining rig, equipment needs for UOG’s first well offshore Jamaica

The study will assess rig availability, costs, equipment needs and logistics support as United Oil & Gas continues farm-out discussions for its Walton-Morant license offshore Jamaica.
Sept. 11, 2026
2 min read
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Why this news matters:

  • The study provides an early indication that UOG is evaluating the practical and commercial requirements for drilling what could become one of Jamaica's most significant offshore exploration wells.

  • By assessing rig, equipment and logistics availability across the Caribbean and Americas, the company is gathering information that could support securing a farm-in partner and advancing the Walton-Morant license toward drilling.

Courtesy United Oil & Gas
Map of United Oil & Gas' Walton-Morant license offshore southern Jamaica

The map of United Oil & Gas' Walton-Morant license offshore southern Jamaica highlights the Colibri and Thunderball prospects and additional exploration leads.

Walton-Morant license snapshot

  • Operator: United Oil & Gas

  • Location: Offshore southern Jamaica

  • Lead prospect: Colibri

  • Colibri prospective resources: 406 MMbbl

  • Thunderball prospective resources: 603 MMbbl

  • Permit-wide prospective resources: More than 7 Bbbl

  • Current activity: Rig and long-lead availability study

  • Objective: Support farm-out negotiations

United Oil & Gas (UOG) has appointed NRG Well Management to conduct a drilling rig and long-lead availability study for its Walton-Morant exploration license offshore southern Jamaica.

UOG’s main focus is on the 406-MMbbl Colibri prospect, with follow-on drilling at the 603-MMbbl Thunderball lead. Overall, the company estimates prospective resources across the permit at over 7 Bbbl.

The Walton-Morant license is one of the largest underexplored frontier acreage positions in the Caribbean. UOG has previously highlighted the basin's geological similarities to hydrocarbon-producing areas elsewhere in the region.

NRG is an international well engineering and project management specialist supporting exploration, appraisal, development, production and decommissioning projects.

The study is intended to support UOG's ongoing farm-out discussions. UOG is seeking a farm-in partner to help fund drilling of the license's prospective resources. NRG will assess rig availability, potential day rates, mobilisation factors, long-lead drilling equipment and well service needs, and procurement schedules.

Courtesy United Oil & Gas
2022 map of Walton-Morant license offshore Jamaica

The Walton-Morant license covers a large frontier exploration area offshore Jamaica and contains multiple identified prospects and leads.

While the study does not commit the company to drilling, it represents a step toward understanding the practical requirements and costs associated with a potential exploration well on the Walton-Morant license offshore Jamaica.

The company also plans to assess the regional supply chain, local port readiness, and logistics support infrastructure across the Gulf of Mexico, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad.

The study does not, UOG stressed, represent a commitment to drill at this time, with any future activity dependent on the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals from the Government of Jamaica and execution of commercial agreements.

UOG expects the study to be completed within the next few weeks, providing updated inputs for ongoing farm-out discussions.

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About the Author

Jeremy Beckman
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Jeremy Beckman

Staff Writer / Editor, Europe

Jeremy Beckman has been Editor Europe, Offshore since 1992. Prior to joining Offshore he was a freelance journalist for eight years, working for a variety of electronics, computing and scientific journals in the UK. He regularly writes news columns on trends and events both in the NW Europe offshore region and globally. He also writes features on developments and technology in exploration and production.

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