Offshore staff
LARNACA, Cyprus -- Demand for semisubmersible accommodation rigs remains strong in the Mexican sector, according to Prosafe. The high level of offshore activity is due to Pemex’s need to sustain production from the Cantarell field.
Seven of Prosafe’s rigs are under bareboat charters to Interpetroleum Services, operating on Pemex’s behalf. The Safe Bristolia began a one-year contract in March, with the Safe Concordia starting a 240-day contract in May. Among the other five, the Safe Hibernia is chartered though May 2011, and the Safe Britannia until January 2013.
In the North Sea, operators need Prosafe’s rigs mainly to support maintenance and modifications on mature-field fixed installations, many receiving new production from satellite fields.
Late last month, the Safe Scandinavia started a 65-day job for Shell in the UK North Sea, after completing a five-year special periodic survey at a yard in Invergordon, northern Scotland. Also in the UK sector, the Safe Caledonia is contracted to Total through September 2010.
MSV Regalia started an 18-month assignment for BP at Valhall, a field currently undergoing a major re-development, while the Safe Esbjerg will operate for Maersk in the Danish sector through June 2011. The outlook remains healthy in the North Sea, Prosafe adds, with some mature field programs likely to require additional accommodation support.
Elsewhere, the Safe Astoria is laid up currently at the Kemaman yard in Malaysia, but will start a new 243-day assignment for Shell in October off the Philippines.
08/28/2009
