Houston headquartered Hyperdynamics has signed a letter of award with drilling contractor Pacific Drilling for use of the Pacific Bora drillship on a deepwater drilling campaign offshore Guinea, West Africa, starting Q2 2017.
The unit, a 6th generation, double-hulled drillship constructed in 2010, will first spud the Fatala 1 well in 2895m water depth. The day rate on the vessel, which recently completed a long-term contract offshore Nigeria, is US$225,000.
Fatala 1, a fan play, has been given a Pmean estimate of 373 MMboe with upside.
The Pacific Bora is capable of operating in 10,000ft water depth and drilling up to 35,000ft below the mudline.
The letter of award enables Hyperdynamics to extend the contract by as many as three additional follow-up wells at the same terms and conditions.
The agreement is subject to the two companies entering into a definitive contract to be signed no later than 29 November.