Transocean set to spud ONGC well at KG-KD-10
ONGC has delayed by two days the drilling schedule of Transocean deepwater drillship Discoverer Seven Seas.
Instead of 23rd February, Seven Seas will spud its first well on 25th February at the KG-KD-10 offshore block in the Krishna Godavari basin. ONGCs deepwater team led by drilling services chief UN Bose and deputy AT Kali reached Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh on 23rd February to inspect Discover Seven Seas before she leaves for location.
Seven seas is undergoing final acceptance trials in Kakinada waters, an ONGC source tells PETROWATCH. Unlike Belford Dolphin, which completed its trials in Cape Town before reaching Indian waters, Seven Seas could not undergo trials in Dubai where logging tools and well testing equipment were loaded.
There was a danger of Seven Seas running behind schedule if the trials took place in Dubai, he adds: As it is they are running against a tight schedule. Transocean must deploy its deepwater drill ship before 25th February to avoid penalties under its contract with ONGC.
This is the rigs first assignment as a dynamically positioned Class II drillship and minor technical problems are inevitable, according to an industry source. An upgraded ship, especially a deepwater one, will always suffer some minor problems in the beginning, he said.
But these are easily resolved. A joint team of ONGC and Transocean has completed pre-drilling studies of geological hazards, including heavy water currents and strong or slow wave conditions at the prospect.
KG-KD-10 sits in water depths ranging from 1,100 metres to 1,800 metres. Seven Seas will drill to a depth of 3,850 metres below the seabed.
