AGR were contracted by Phoenica Energy, the subsidiary of Genel Energy to deliver a deep water exploration well offshore Malta as part of an AGR managed drilling campaign in the Mediterranean and North Africa.
CHALLENGE
This would be the first well drilled offshore Malta since 1982, and the project presented significant challenges:
- Managing shipyard workscope on the rig, including BOP upgrade work, and optimising operational startup after 18 months in the shipyard
- Little offset drilling data available
- Drilling risks – uncertain lithologies, fractured carbonate reservoirs, losses risk, abrasive formations and potential for high H2S levels
- Lack of established oilfield infrastructure in Malta and a developing regulatory framework
- Irregular migrant vessels prevalent in the operating area – potential for disruption and/or rescue requirement
RESULT
- All drilling and logging objectives met
- Exceeded expected ROPs, all sections drilled in 1 bit run
- Top quartile ‘days per 1,000m drilled’ performance
- <10% rig based NPT, BOP run and successfully tested on first attempt
- Severe losses occurred and were successfully managed
- Fully functional operations base set up in Malta, over 6,700 tonnes of cargo and bulks supplied and handled, no logistics related downtime incurred on the rig
- 350+ migrants rescued via designated charter vessel during well, no disruption to operations
