Operations on WilHunter Temporarily Suspended

Operations on the WilHunter, which is drilling the Timon exploration well in the UK North Sea, have been temporarily suspended after incurring technical downtime due to equipment failure.

The current estimated length of the downtime is approximately 18 days. A further update will be released once the WilHunter is able to recommence normal operations, which is expected to be in early June 2012.

Awilco Drilling PLC has mutually agreed to terminate the contract with Endeavour Energy UK Ltd for the drilling of the East and West Rochelle development wells. WilHunter will now drill for Suncor Energy in direct continuation from the contract with Ithaca.

Awilco Drilling PLC has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Hess UK Ltd for the provision of WilHunter for work related to their 2013 and 2014 abandonment program in the Central North Sea. The firm contract duration is 400 days with a contract value of approximately USD 144 million. The contract is expected to commence in Q2 2013.

WilHunter is one of Awilco Drilling’s two Enhanced Pacesetter semi-submersibles and is equipped for drilling in water depths up to 1,500.

[mappress]
Offshore Nieuws Staff, May 24, 2012; Image : Awilco Drilling