Brazil Charges Former Vantage Drilling Chief with Corruption
Brazilian federal prosecutors on Thursday charged the former chief executive of U.S. oil services company Vantage Drilling with corruption and money laundering, accusing him of offering $31 million in bribes to public officials.Federal prosecutors said in a statement that the charges against former CEO Paul Bragg related to irregularities in a 2009 contract worth $1.8 billion to charter a drill ship to state-run oil firm Petroleo Brasiliero SA.Reuters was unable to locate Bragg or his representatives. Bragg was CEO of the Houston-based company from 2006 to 2016.
Noble Drilling Announces Delivery of Fourth Semisubmersible Conversion
Noble Drilling Corporation announced its fourth successful EVA-4000TM semisubmersible conversion, Noble Amos Runner, began its five-year contract for Kerr-McGee Corporation, Marathon Oil Company and Murphy Exploration and Production Company in the Gulf of Mexico. The unit, capable of drilling in water depths up to 6,600 ft., was delivered from the shipyard in August. The company also reported Noble Paul Wolff, the second EVA-4000TM conversion, has successfully drilled a well in a water depth of 8,017 ft. for Petroleo Brasiliero S.A. (Petrobras), which sets a new world water depth drilling record. The unit, a dynamically positioned semisubmersible unit capable of drilling in water depths up to 8…
Noble Announces Fourth Successful Semi Conversion
Noble Drilling said its fourth successful EVA-4000 semisubmersible conversion, Noble Amos Runner, began drilling in the Gulf of Mexicofor its contractors - Kerr-McGee Corp., Marathon Oil and Murphy Exploration and Production Co. The semi, capable of drilling in water depths of 6,600 ft., underwent mooring sea trials before it began its five-year drilling project in the Gulf. Noble Drilling, also announced its second conversion, Noble Paul Wolff, drilled a well for Petroleo Brasiliero S.A. (Petrobas) in 8,017 ft. of water, reportedly setting a new world record. Noble Paul Wolff, capable of drilling in 8,900 ft. of water, is currently under a six-year Petrobas contract.
Commitment for Deepwater Frontier
R&B Falcon Drilling has received a letter of intent from for Petroleo Brasiliero S.A. (Petrobas) for a two-year contract for DP drillship Deepwater Frontier, for operations offshore Brazil in up to approximately 8,900 ft. of water. Deepwater Frontier, capable of drilling in up to 10,000 ft. of water, is owned 60 percent by R&B Falcon Corp. and 40 percent by Conoco. The vessel will sail to Brazil upon completion of its current one-well commitment in West Africa. Operations for Petrobras are expected to commence in November 1999. The current well underway in West Africa and the Petrobras work, will essentially complete all of the R&B Falcon's 2.5-year drilling contract obligation with respect to the rig sharing agreement with Conoco. Conoco Inc. and Unocal Corp.
Noble Corporation Reports Rig Damage
Noble Corporation reports that its subsidiary's dynamically positioned drillship, the Noble Leo Segerius, currently located offshore Brazil and contracted to Petroleo Brasiliero S.A. (Petrobras), has sustained damage to its forward crane. No injuries to personnel were incurred as a result of this incident. The company is presently making final arrangements for expediting shipment of a new-built crane to Brazil for replacement of the damaged unit. The drillship has mobilized quayside to prepare for installation of the new-built crane. Noble currently estimates the rig returning to operation under its term contract with Petrobras by mid January 2003.
