This follows a competitive selection process by IOG's drilling and contracting teams, assisted by well management contractor Petrofac, involving extensive technical and commercial evaluation across several drilling contractors.
Noble's Hans Deul jack-up rig has been selected to drill the five Phase 1 production wells, one each of which are planned at the Blythe and Elgood fields and three at the Southwark field. The fields all lie in 20-30 m water depth in the UK Southern North Sea (SNS). The Hans Deul has a track record of successfully and safely executing wells in the SNS.
The Phase 1 drilling campaign is scheduled to commence in 1Q21 and, subject to actual well durations over the five wells, is expected to last into 2Q22, with First Gas scheduled for 3Q21.
The contract also includes extension options to drill up to two further wells on favourable terms, at IOG's election.
Alongside this, detailed well design is progressing, on track to be completed in early 2021 ahead of the first well being spudded. The Company has also contracted most of the key services, tangibles and logistics for the Phase 1 drilling campaign and is tendering and negotiating multiple associated contracts.
Andrew Hockey, CEO of IOG, commented: "We are very pleased to have contracted the Noble Hans Deul rig for our Phase 1 drilling campaign. Noble is a highly experienced drilling contractor and the Noble Hans Deul is both technically and commercially a strong choice, with a safe and successful track record of delivering similar wells.
This rig contract is another key step in ensuring efficient execution of Phase 1 of our SNS Core Project, with optionality for further drilling activity on favourable terms. It also reflects good ongoing collaboration between our drilling and contracting teams and Petrofac, who are the approved Well Operator. We look forward to spudding the first well in 1Q21.
Robert Eifler, CEO of Noble Corporation, said: "We are proud to support IOG and their partners on the Core Project Phase 1 drilling campaign. The Noble Hans Duel has a proven history of successful operations in the North Sea and we look forward to delivering safe and efficient operations for IOG on this important project."
Read the latest issue of Oilfield Technology in full for free: Oilfield Technology's November/December 2020 issue
The November/December issue of Oilfield Technology begins by reviewing the state of the North Sea before moving on to cover a range of topics, including Drilling Technologies, Deepwater Operations, Flow Control.
Contributors come from Varel Energy Solutions, Gyrodata, Clariant Oil Services, Drillmec and many more.