Public Comment for Four New Deepwater EAs
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) today announced that public comment is invited with respect to four Environmental Assessments (EA) for Exploration Plans (EP). The EPs involve deepwater activity in the Gulf of Mexico and were completed in accordance with new safety and environmental standards implemented since the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill. Consistent with federal regulations, an EP is deemed “submitted” once all supporting materials and documentation has been provided. Once a plan is deemed submitted, BOEMRE has 30 calendar days to analyze and evaluate it. The 30-day time frame…
BOEMRE: Public Comment Sought on EAs
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) on May 6 announced that public comment is invited with respect to an Environmental Assessment (EA) for a Revised Development Operations Coordination Document (DOCD) submitted by BHP Billiton Petroleum (GOM) Inc. This Revised DOCD involves deepwater activity in the Gulf of Mexico and will be completed in accordance with new safety and environmental standards implemented since the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill. The Revised DOCD includes one proposed development well in approximately 4,230 feet water depth, approximately 120 miles offshore Louisiana. Consistent with federal regulations, a DOCD is deemed “submitted” once all supporting materials and documentation has been provided.
BOEMRE Invites Comment on Nexen EA
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) today announced that public comment is invited with respect to an Environmental Assessment (EA) for an Initial Exploration Plan (EP) submitted by Nexen Petroleum USA Inc. This Initial EP involves deepwater activity in the Gulf of Mexico and will be completed in accordance with new safety and environmental standards implemented since the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill. The Initial EP includes four proposed exploratory wells in approximately 2,860 feet water depth, approximately 99 miles offshore Louisiana. Consistent with federal regulations, an EP is deemed “submitted” once all supporting materials and documentation has been provided.
Athens Group Third Year of Growth
Athens Group announced a 64% increase in year-over-year revenue for 2009 as well as a 225% increase in booked business for 2010. Athens Group is experiencing a growing demand for its Drilling Technology Assurance (DTA) Services on newbuilds and existing fleets as drilling contractors and operators become increasingly aware of the need for control systems and software engineering expertise on today’s high-specification assets. In 2010, Athens Group’s Proven Practices Methodology will be used by a growing base of customers to reduce Non-Productive time (NPT) and improve safety during all phases of the rig lifecycle including construction, operations, annual audits, and refurbs.
Keppel FELS Delivers First Rig of 2010
Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS) has delivered Ensco 8502, the third of seven Ensco 8500 Series semisubmersible (semi) drilling rigs it has been contracted to build exclusively for Ensco International (NYSE:ESV). Delivered seven days ahead of schedule, Ensco 8502 is on track to commence operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico in the second quarter of 2010, under a two-year contract with Nexen Petroleum U.S.A. Inc. with term extension options. The early completion was a culmination of progressive productivity gains achieved by Keppel FELS on the construction of the Series. Construction lead time for Ensco 8502 was reduced by 1.1 million man-hours, as compared to the first rig in the Series. This represents a 15% boost in efficiency.
ENSCO International Finalizes Contract
Dallas, Texas-based ENSCO International Inc. reported one of its subsidiaries has entered into a definitive drilling contract for the ENSCO 8502, an ultra-deepwater semisubmersible rig, with Nexen Petroleum USA Inc. The contract calls for a minimum two-year primary in the Gulf, which can be extended to a three- or four-year term. The aggregate day rate revenue for the two-year term is expected to be $340m. The drilling rig is the company’s third of four ultra-deepwater semisubmersibles in the ENSCO 8500 Series under construction and will join the company’s 7500 rig, which was delivered in 2000.
