MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Norwegian company contracted for major Falklands’ drilling program

AGR Executive Vice President Ian Burdis: “a major project for us”

Norway’s AGR Petroleum Services (AGR) will begin a significant drilling campaign, valued at more than £2 million, off the Falklands Islands this month on behalf of two operators, announced the company in Oslo.

AGR Petroleum Services, which is one of the largest independent well management firms in the world, has been contracted by Desire Petroleum and Rockhopper Exploration Plc to provide logistical support and undertake a six well drilling program in the North Falklands Basin. Desire Petroleum has four prospects while Rockhopper will have two exploration wells drilled.

AGR is also in discussions with a possible third operator regarding additional drilling in the region.

Executive Vice President Ian Burdis of AGR said: “This is a major project for us. To be contracted by two companies to undertake work in this frontier region is great recognition of our teams’ expertise in these challenging environments.

“There’s been a huge amount of logistical preparation required ahead of this activity. We’re now ready to begin drilling and will be working closely with our clients to achieve a successful outcome.”

AGR has established a supply base in Port Stanley the Falkland Islands which required an initial load-out of approximately 9.000 tons of cargo to be shipped from Aberdeen Harbour – the largest consignment of its kind to be transported from the city to the region.

The Falklands’ drilling campaign is expected to begin around the middle of February, weather dependent, and last for approximately five months.

Bob Lyons, Managing Director of Desire said: “This project is central to our exploration and production activity and we are pleased to have AGR on board to provide support throughout the programme. Their teams are well respected in the industry and provide the ideal fit with our operations.”

The third generation semi submersible drilling rig Ocean Guardian has been contracted from Diamond Offshore Drilling by Desire and will be used during the drilling of all six wells. It set sail from Invergordon, in the north east of Scotland late November and is due to arrive in the Falkland Islands around the middle of February.

Sam Moody, Managing Director, of Rockhopper added: “We have found AGR's preparations for this drilling campaign to be highly professional and enjoy a very constructive working relationship with the team there. We look forward to the start of the programme.”

AGR Petroleum Services, part of the Oslo Stock Exchange-listed AGR Group, is one of the world’s largest independent providers of well management and subsurface services. AGR Group has been in existence for more than 20 years and the AGR Petroleum Services division since its formation in 2005 has experienced dynamic growth with offices in four continents. (News agencies).-