| Work Detail |
The contract for the Island Innovator rig, owned by Norwegian rig owner Island Drilling, has been terminated by Trident Energy over safety issues, putting the brakes on the Equatorial Guinea offshore drilling campaign.
Trident Energy awarded the deal for the 2012-built semisub in September 2022. The rig was initially set to do two firm and five optional wells. This was the first deal for the rig after it was warm-stacked at the beginning of 2020.
Trident exercised three options for the rig, with the last one announced in early September last year. The third option should have kept the Island Innovator engaged in Equatorial Guinea for approximately 230 days. The drilling work on Block G began in January this year.
However, it did not last. Panoro Energy – Trident’s partner in Block – informed that, upon recommendation from Trident Energy, the joint venture decided to terminate the current rig contract.
“The joint venture is of the view that the rig is not operationally in a condition to safely drill the wells. The operator is, on behalf of the joint venture, evaluating alternative options that will allow for the recommencement and safe completion of the intended drilling campaign,” Panoro said.
Trident is now looking to restart the campaign, which also includes the Kosmos-operated Akeng Deep exploration well, potentially during the second quarter of the year subject to rig availability and terms of alternative options.
“The joint venture will not compromise on safety, which is of paramount importance, and has acted decisively and responsibly in taking this course of action,” said John Hamilton, CEO of Panoro. |
