Rowan Companies Inc. and Canadian Superior Energy Inc. signed a contract for the super Gorilla-class jackup,Gorilla V to perform initial drilling on Canadian Superior's Mariner block offshore Nova Scotia.
The RowanGorilla V is the first of a series of super Gorilla-class jackups designed for harsh environment work. The jackup can carry out exploration and development drilling, production platform operations, and production in harsh environments like that of Atlantic Canada. The Gorilla V has a cantilever and substructure/sub-base with a total combined load capacity of 3.75 million pounds and five turbocharged, after-cooled diesel engine prime movers rated for 16,975 continuous horsepower.
According to Danny McNease, Rowan's president and chief executive officer, "The rig will be utilized offshore eastern Canada for the Mariner shallow-water exploration campaign beginning late in November. This contract reaffirms our confidence in the long-term viability of the eastern Canada market for harsh-environment jackups. We look forward to continuing our activities with Canadian Superior and their industry partners."
Canadian Superior's Mariner block on license EL 2409 is north of the eastern tip of Sable Island on the Scotian Shelf. The first Mariner well, 5.5 mi. northwest of Sable Offshore Energy Project's Venture natural gas producing field, will be one of the deepest offshore wells drilled in Canada this year. Canadian Superior acquired the block in November 2001 for a work expenditure bid of $11.9 million.
The Mariner block covers 101,800 acres and directly offsets five significant discoveries near Sable Island, including the 1.6-tcf Venture natural gas field 180 mi. southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Mariner well will be drilled to a total depth of 18,370 ft and will evaluate one of three large structures that have been identified on the Mariner block, directly offsetting the 1.6 tcf Venture natural gas field.
10/22/03
