Reports are that Rowan Companies newbuild jackup Rowan EXL-IV may have a signed contract in place by the end of this week. While the potential customer is not known, market intelligence indicates Apache Corporation could be the operator getting the rig. The LeTourneau Super 116-E design rig, delivered from the Keppel AmFELS yard in Brownsville, Texas, on September 1, is currently undergoing systems testing while waiting on work and is expected to leave the yard in October.
Hall-Houston Exploration finally received its permit and now has jackup Hercules 212 on location in High Island Block 205. The ADTI turnkey well is expected to take around 30 days to complete. Meanwhile, jackup Hercules 214 has wrapped up operations for Apache Corporation in Main Pass Block 69 and is now on standby while it waits for its next contract to begin. That work will be for Phoenix Exploration Company, LP in nearby Main Pass Block 59 on a job that was switched from jackup Hercules 253. That rig is also on standby in West Cameron Block 38 while it waits to begin a threewell, 120-day contract with Hall-Houston, now expected to be in early October. Tana Exploration Company, LLC will then take the rig for a 90-day stint that will keep it working into May 2012. Finally, inland barge Hercules 41 completed its contract with Goldking Operating Company, Inc. and was released. The rig is now hot stacked at the Hercules Offshore, Inc. yard in Houma, Louisiana.
ENSCO has a contract signed for idle jackup ENSCO 99. Energy XXI GOM, LLC will take the rig to Grand Isle Block 16 for a six-month assignment. The rig, which had been idle since mid-August, is expected to get under tow to location around September 26. It is further understood ENSCO could have several new contracts and extensions firmed up in the coming weeks. Details of those deals will be reported as they are finalized.
Blake International USA Rigs, LLC has received a contract for platform rig Blake 1007 from Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. The program will consist of two wells on the Marco Polo tension-leg platform in Green Canyon Block 608 starting late December or early January 2012. The rig is currently preparing for the contract at Blake’s facility in Houma. Operations at the location are expected to keep the rig busy into May 2012. Blake continues to wait on Apache Corporation to complete its platform installation in Main Pass Block 308 so it can move platform rig Blake 1505 to location. The most recent schedule has the rig moving in early October, with operations expected to last around one year.
Nabors Offshore Corporation has received a contract from Energy XXI to take platform rig P-17 for four wells plus two options at the West Delta Block 73 D platform. The rig, which has been idle since May 2010, is currently undergoing preparatory work and is expected to head to location in October.
Hercules Offshore has acquired an additional 6.1 million shares of Discovery Offshore, SA. With this latest purchase, Hercules Offshore has invested about $34.1 million in Discovery Offshore and currently holds a 28% ownership interest. Discovery Offshore is focused on ownership of ultra high-specification jackup rigs and has two under construction at the Keppel FELS yard in Singapore.