Oil India holds jack-up pre-tender meeting

Vol 26, PW 23 (02 Nov 23) Exploration & Production
 

Oil India wants to avoid a repeat of the poor response to its cancelled tender for a jack-up for DSF-2 block KG/OSDSF/GSKW/2018 in the Bay of Bengal.

On October 18 (2023), Oil India held a pre-tender meeting for the fresh tender, attended by five companies: Shelf Drilling, Dynamic Drilling, ADES, Aban Offshore and Greatship. Aban was the only bidder in the previous tender, which Oil India cancelled earlier this year (2023).

"At the beginning of the meeting, Oil India presented its plans to drill four wells," says a source who was present. "Oil India wanted to understand the rig availability to plan its drilling programme."

He adds Oil India wanted bidders to share details to avoid a repeat of the previous tender. "They (Oil India) are ready to modify the drilling programme in line with the rig availability," we hear.

Most drillers present wanted Oil India to invite separate offers for jack-ups and marine vessels. "Oil India asked how they can make the tender more attractive," adds our source.

But even if it receives a better response, Oil India's drilling programme will be delayed. Initially expected to begin in 2024, the start date has been pushed back to May 2025.

"But drilling is now expected to begin in the second quarter of 2025 (by June 2025)," says our source. Oil India wants to drill two directional wells, Loc-1_GS-48-1 and Loc-2_GS-68-1 (SUB), in the 64.547-sq km eastern portion (DCE-1).

In the 29.355-sq km western part (DCW-2), it plans directional wells Loc-3_GS-KW-6 and Loc-4_GS-KW6_Appraisal. Oil India estimates the four firm wells will each take 75 days to drill, including completions.

Along with the jack-up tender, Oil India will retender to hire contractors for three years to install two wellhead platforms in the eastern and western parts of the bock after receiving just one bid from South Korea's Asia Pacific Marine (APMC) by the previous tender's August 29 (2023) deadline. Oil India held a pre-tender meeting for the fresh wellhead platform tender on October 19 (2023).