Only Indian bidders wanted for Sintex drilling
Indian bidders will be favoured over foreign contractors by oil and gas newcomer Sintex as it prepares to hire a rig and services for a 15-well drilling campaign at CB-ONN-2009/7 near Ahmedabad.
Five are ‘firm’; the remaining 10 ‘optional’. On October 8 Sintex invited EoIs for drilling and oilfield services including mud engineering, logging, perforation, cementing, casing, tubing, wellheads, Christmas trees and well testing services.
EoIs must be submitted by October 28. Sintex also needs a 1000-hp rig to drill the wells to depths ranging from 1500 metres to 2500 metres.
“We may be new to the business but we expect a good response to our EoI notice,” Sintex tells this report. “The Sintex name commands a lot of goodwill after more than eight decades in the marketplace.
” But foreign bidders will be at a distinct disadvantage as Sintex's EoI notice says that, "under Article 23.1 of the PSC, preference shall be given to the purchase and use of goods manufactured, produced or supplied in India, provided such goods are available on terms equal to or better than imported goods with respect to timing of delivery, quality and quantity required, price and other terms." Among those expected to respond are John Energy, Shiv Vani, Jaybee Energy, Punj Lloyd, Quippo Oil & Gas and Weatherford.
Sintex aims to begin drilling in mid-2014 at the earliest, after the mandatory environment clearance through a public hearing.