Statoil Brasil Oleo e Gas has awarded Seadrill rig contracts for exploration drilling in the BM-S-8 license in the Santos basin. The fixed contract scope includes one exploration well and one drill stem test, which are part of the license commitments of the exploration phase.
The agreement includes two contracts: Seadrill Offshore AS will provide the drillship West Saturn and Seadrill Serviços de Petroleo Limitada will provide services on board.
Commencement date for the contracts is planned between 1 December 2017 and 1 March 2018. Under the contract, Statoil intends to drill the independent Guanxuma prospect.
The West Saturn is a 6th generation ultra-deepwater drillship, built in 2014 and equipped to drill in water depths of up to 12,000 feet (3600 metres).
“Testing the Carcará discovery will provide important information for developing the field. In addition, Statoil is evaluating its options for the Northern open area licensing round, expected in October 2017” said Anders Opedal, country manager for Brazil.
In addition to the firm program, the contracts include options for seven more exploration wells. Statoil can exercise these options based on the results of the firm exploration program and may deploy the West Saturn across its Brazilian assets, given regulatory approval.
The company has been present in Brazil for over 15 years, involved in Peregrino field in Campos basin, among others.
