Drilling & Completion News

Production commences from Brazil’s Bacalhau field

Equinor and its partners ExxonMobil, Petrogal Brasil (Galp|Sinopec JV) and Pré-sal Petróleo SA achieved startup of production from the Bacalhau field in Brazil. With recoverable reserves exceeding 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent, Bacalhau is the largest international offshore field ever developed by Equinor. It is located in the pre-salt region of the Santos Basin in ultra-deepwater exceeding 2,000 m. The field features one of the most modern floating production storage and offloading vessels (FPSO) in the world, measuring 370 m in length and 64 m in width, with a production capacity of 220,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd).

Phase 1 development consists of 19 wells, producers and injectors. An update will be provided in 2026 during the ramp-up phase.

Sonadrill drillships win contracts offshore Angola   

Seadrill announced that Sonadrill, its 50/50 joint venture with an affiliate of Sonangol, has been awarded two contracts. The West Gemini secured a contract with Sonangol for work in Angola with an estimated duration of 284 days, expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026.

The Sonangol Libongos received an award from Azule Energy with an estimated firm term of 525 days, plus priced options beyond the initial term. The program is expected to commence offshore Angola in Q3 2025 in direct continuation of the current contract.

Namibia’s Orange Basin yields another exploration find

Rhino Resources recently confirmed a discovery with the Volans-1X exploration well in Namibia’s Orange Basin, on Block 2914A.

The well was drilled on Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) 85 with Northern Ocean’s Deepsea Mira semisubmersible. It reached a total depth of 4,497.5 m true vertical depth subsea on 30 August, successfully penetrating the Upper Cretaceous target. The well found 26 m of net pay in rich-gas condensate-bearing reservoirs. PEL85 is operated by Rhino with a working interest of 42.5%. Co-venturers are Azule Energy (42.5%), NAMCOR (10%) and Korres Investments (5%).

The rig was demobilized on 14 September to begin drilling in another location, while Volans-1X lab testing activities will remain ongoing to facilitate the partners in evaluating the block.

BP contracts VALARIS DS-12 drillship for work in Egypt   

Valaris has been awarded a five-well contract with BP for the VALARIS DS-12 drillship in Egypt. The contract is expected to commence in Q2 2026 and has an estimated duration of 350 days. The estimated total contract value, inclusive of a mobilization fee, is approximately $140 million. The contract includes three option wells.

Talos finds oil in deepwater Walker Ridge blocks 

Talos Energy announced successful drilling results at the Daenerys exploration prospect, located in the US Gulf Walker Ridge blocks 106, 107, 150 and 151.

The well was drilled to a total vertical depth of 33,228 ft utilizing the West Vela drillship and encountered oil pay in multiple high-quality, sub-salt Miocene sands. A wireline program was conducted, acquiring core, fluid and log data to evaluate the reservoir.

The well was drilled approximately 12 days ahead of schedule and delivered approximately $16 million under budget. Planning is under way for an appraisal well to further define the discovered resource. The discovery well has been temporarily suspended to preserve its future utility.

Talos, as operator, will hold a 27% working interest, while Shell and Red Willow will each hold 22.5%. Houston Energy will hold 10% working interest, while Cathexis and HEQ II Daenerys will each hold 9%.

BORGLAND DOLPHIN to be reactivated for Repsol contract

Dolphin Drilling announced it was awarded a contract for plug and abandonment operations by Repsol for the BORGLAND DOLPHIN semisubmersible. Operations are scheduled to commence by late 2026. The contract, which represents approximately $60 million in firm backlog, provides for a firm seven wells and spans a minimum 220 days. An option is available to extend the contract for a further three wells.

The rig is warm-stacked in Las Palmas, where the remaining special periodic survey will be completed.