Shell UK is to extend its contract for use of Aberdeen-headquartered driller Awilco Drilling's WillPhoenix semisubmersible drilling rig for decommissioning operations in the UK North Sea.
Shell UK, which already has the rig on contract, has given notice that it will exercise two options which will cover the abandonment of five further wells. This extends Shell's contract with Awilco to a total 24 firm wells. This will see the contract running into late Q1 2020. Shell also still has further options which it could take, covering another two abandonment wells and three exploration wells.
The WilPhoenix is one of Awilco Drilling's two Enhanced Pacesetter semisubmersibles, equipped for drilling in water depths down to 1,200 feet. Awilco Drilling also has two new build rigs on order of Moss CS60 ECO MW design equipped for drilling in harsh environments, and independent options for additional two rigs of the same design.