Jindal complaint over rig rejection
Jindal Drilling has complained to ONGC's Independent External Monitors (IEMs) against its apparent disqualification in a tender to hire a rig that can drill in water depths of 1000-feet (304 metres).
Jindal wrote to the IEMs on October 3, protesting against the disqualification of 1977-built Jindal Discoverer (formerly PetroSaudi Discoverer) on technical grounds. “Jindal was the only bidder not to receive technical queries,” says a source.
“ONGC hasn’t informed it officially but it is clearly out of the race.” Other bidders include Jet Drilling offering Energy Searcher; Transocean with GSF 140; Essar with Essar Wildcat; and Japan Drilling with Hakuryu-5.
ONGC fixed October 8 as the deadline to receive replies to queries but is now likely to delay the opening of price bids. Because of Jindal’s complaint it is also likely to delay opening price bids in Category-2 where Transocean and Jet Drilling have offered Actinia and Energy Driller respectively – both equipped to drill in water depths of 600-feet (183 metres).