Falklands' Oil Drilling at Isobel Deep Suspended
Oil explorers drilling in the waters north of the Falkland Islands have suspended work on the second well of their 2015 current six-well drilling campaign after a technical problem.
Operator Premier Oil has suspended operations on the 4/20-1 (Isobel Deep) well, following a problem detected on the drilling rig blowout preventer, BOP, according to partner Falkland Oil and Gas Ltd.
Ocean Rig semisubmersible Eirik Raude is performing the drilling program. The company says that the rig, completed in 2002, is equipped for drilling operations in water depths from 500 to 2,500 meters.
FOGL said that the problem was detected after the 13⅜-in. casing was set, performed at a water depth of 1,274m, located on license PL004a. The well was spud on April 8, after success in the first well Zebedee.
The BOP has been brought to surface for inspection and repair, which are anticipated to take 10-14 days. While these repairs are being undertaken, the rig will be utilized to drill the top-hole sections and set the conductor(s) on the Chatham and/or Jayne East projects.