Blackford Dolphin technical delay
Unexpected 'technical' delays have forced Reliance toput on hold its eastern offshore drilling plans forFred Olsen owned semi-submersibleBlackford Dolphin.
PETROWATCH learnsBlackfordwill be ready to move to its Mahanadi basin drilling location only by the end of this month (February). “The rig manager visitedBlackfordon February 16 and after an inspection realised that more time is needed to prepare her for drilling,†reports a source.
“There are no major problems. Only some maintenance-related issues; so there's no reason for concern.
â€Blackfordarrived on India's east coast on January 30 after a drilling campaign in Oman and after customs clearance the crew, hired from multiple service contractors, mobilised as scheduled on February 8 off Gangavaram port in Andhra Pradesh. But the crew was then de-mobilised on February 17 awaiting completion of pending rig work.
Reliance will not be charged forBlackforduntil she begins drilling, we understand.
