Shelf Explorer begins Sakhalin season
Transocean’s jack-up drilling rig Shelf Explorer has started work on the Sakhalin-3 project, off Russia's Pacific coast.
Shelf Explorer is contracted by operator Veninneft to drill two exploration wells during the 2009 field season and started operations at the end of last month.
The first well will be drilled in 25 metres of water about 10 kilometres offshore. The second well targeting the North-Veninsky prospect will be drilled in 21 metres of water about nine kilometres off the coast. Drilling is expected to last until mid-October.
The jack-up recently underwent a large-scale upgrading exercise commissioned by Veninneft in preparation for the drilling exercise on the Sakhalin continental shelf.
REA-Sakhalin company will be responsible for the environmental monitoring of the drilling area, while a special Rubin ship will provide a 24-hour stand-by duty to prevent and clean-up spills of oil and oil products.