Rig: Valaris 5004

Eni makes a new gas and condensates discovery offshore Libya

Eni has made a new discovery of gas and condensates offshore Libya in the ‘Gamma Prospect‘, in the Contract Area D, 140 km offshore from Tripoli, in Libya. The discovery, made through the well B1 16/3, is located 15km south west of the Bouri field and 5km north of the Bahr Essalam field. The drilling of the Gamma prospect is part of the “near field” exploration strategy of Eni, targeting opportunities, that in case of success can exploit synergies with existing infrastructures reducing the time to market and providing additional gas to the local market and export. The well, drilled in 150 metres of water depth, reached a total depth of 2,981 metres (9,780 feet) and encountered gas and condensates in the Metlaoui Group of Eocene age. The well has the capacity to deliver, in production configuration, in ecxess of 7,000 Boepd and represents a further discovery made by Eni in Libyan offshore Area D, following the discoveries made in 2015. Eni, through its subsidiary Eni North Africa BV, is operator of Contract Area D with a 100% working interest in the exploration phase. Eni has been present in Libya since 1959 and currently produces 350,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in equity in the country.

ENSCO 5004 leaves Malta

The oil rig ENSCO 5004 today left Malta after spending seven and a half months in Grand Harbour. A local company, Ablecare Oilfield Services Group, co-ordinated all the works needed to enable the rig to be recertified and upgraded. The rig was towed to Malta from Brazil and is now heading for North Africa. Paul Abela, Chairman of Ablecare Oilfield Services Group, said: “Our clients were very satisfied with the services we provided and were impressed with Malta’s strategic location in the Mediterranean. “This challenging project was successful thanks to the efficiency and co-operation received from Government and local authorities, and this success has laid the foundation for further projects to be undertaken in Malta.” The extensive work was carried out with the direct deployment of no less than 75 Maltese skilled workers daily, and apart from the foreign contractors over 30 local sub-contractors provided a variety of ancillary support services, like transport, accommodation and catering. All works were carried out on part of the former Malta Shipbuilding site, which was temporarily refurbished to accommodate the services and workers on this specialised project. The project left a significant amount of added value to the economy and the local workforce excelled in meeting oil and gas industry standards, especially the rigorous health and safety requirements of this specialised sector.

Bureau Veritas Oversees Drilling Rig Upgrade

Bureau Veritas is overseeing the upgrade of semi-submersible drilling unit ENSCO 5004. The rig, which can drill to 25,000ft in a water depth of 1,500ft, is classed by Bureau Veritas. The upgrade, which is being carried out in Malta, is expected to be completed by June 2014, in preparation for a 900-day contract working offshore Libya. During the upgrade, Bureau Veritas carried out a major classification survey covering inspection of the internal structure of ballast tanks, columns, bracings and internal girders, as well as inspection of the drill floor, helideck support structure, crane pedestals, lifeboat platform supports and heavy deck equipment foundations. This work also included an underwater survey, in lieu of dry-dock, mooring chains measurements, design reviews and inspections of several modifications. It will conclude with an inclining test and approval of the new stability booklet. Bureau Veritas’ survey centre in Malta is being supported in these surveys by the plan approval office in Houston and the marine centre in Miami, as well as by teams from the Paris head office and the equipment & materials certification unit in the UK.

Ensco 5004 in Malta

On the 8th of January 2014, the Ensco Rig 5004 safely berthed at the Malta Ship Building Quay at the Malta Marsa creek. The purpose of this rig stop is to perform general maintenance and upgrades prior continuing its drilling campaigns in Mediterranean waters.

Fairmount Marine Safely Delievered ENSCO 5004 to Malta

Fairmount Marine has safely delivered rig ENSCO 5004 in Malta at the end of a voyage that began offshore Rio de Janeiro. The towage of rig ENSCO 5004 from Rio de Janeiro to Malta took about 5,782 nautical miles and during the voyage speeds well over 7 knots were reached.