Aker Spitsbergen on contract with StatoilHydro (24.08.2009)
Aker Drilling and StatoilHydro have reached an agreement covering all outstanding issues regarding the delivery of Aker Spitsbergen. The drilling starts its five-year contract with StatoilHydro as operator on behalf of the Heidrun Åsgård and Norne licenses on August 27, 2009.
Aker Spitsbergen is the second of two sixth generation drilling rigs owned by Aker Drilling and that now are ready to operate on the Norwegian continental shelf. The rigs are among the largest in the world and are specially designed to operate safely and effectively in rough and challenging conditions and in deep waters offshore Norway. The other rig, Aker Barents, started drilling northwest of Kristiansund in Norway, before the weekend.
- These advanced rigs are products of Norwegian offshore competence. Together with knowledgeable and demanding customers the workers in several Aker companies have not just realised an enormous building project. We have also brought to the Norwegian shelf two rigs that will help define future safety and environmental requirements for such operations, says Øyvind Eriksen, President and CEO of Aker ASA.
The rigs are designed and build by Aker Solutions. They are owned and operated by Aker Drilling and on contract for StatoilHydro and Aker Exploration. Aker has significant ownership interests in both Aker Solutions and Aker Exploration and is the only shareholder in Aker Drilling.
- StatoilHydro and companies in the Aker family have separately and together shaped a large part of Norwegian offshore history. The long-term cooperation that starts when drilling with Aker Spitsbergen commences gives this collaboration a new and exciting dimension, says Mr Eriksen.
While Aker Barents was delivered and started operations according to the plans presented by Aker in its forth quarter 2008 report, Aker Spitsbergen has been delayed by a further few months. Statoil and Aker Drilling has until recently negotiated the practical and financial consequences of the delays, including liquidated damages (LD) for late delivery, the cost of additional equipment and day rates. Certain completion operations and tests still remain to be carried out before drilling operations begin. Further upgrades have been agreed and will be implemented at a later stage.
The additional costs and other financial consequences of the agreement with StatoilHydro have mostly been covered by gains on currency transactions, as reported by Aker ASA in the second quarter. Day penalties that StatoilHydro can claim from Aker Drilling make up a limited share of Aker Drillings total additional costs. The penalties are covered by a claim from Aker Drilling to Aker Solutions. This issue has been known to Aker Solutions and the company has in its previous reporting confirmed that this has been taken into account.
- For us in Aker Drilling, this is a day to remember. We are about to put the building phase behind us and start what we have been looking forward to for several years, safe and effective operations. Our rigs are made to find new oil and gas resources and to contribute to make the development of these profitable to the benefit of our customers and the state, says Geir Sjøberg, CEO of Aker Drilling.
For further information, please contact:
Geir Sjøberg, CEO Aker Drilling, tel: +47 51 21 49 15
Geir Arne Drangeid, EVP communications Aker ASA, tel: +47 24 13 00 65
- These advanced rigs are products of Norwegian offshore competence. Together with knowledgeable and demanding customers the workers in several Aker companies have not just realised an enormous building project. We have also brought to the Norwegian shelf two rigs that will help define future safety and environmental requirements for such operations, says Øyvind Eriksen, President and CEO of Aker ASA.
The rigs are designed and build by Aker Solutions. They are owned and operated by Aker Drilling and on contract for StatoilHydro and Aker Exploration. Aker has significant ownership interests in both Aker Solutions and Aker Exploration and is the only shareholder in Aker Drilling.
- StatoilHydro and companies in the Aker family have separately and together shaped a large part of Norwegian offshore history. The long-term cooperation that starts when drilling with Aker Spitsbergen commences gives this collaboration a new and exciting dimension, says Mr Eriksen.
While Aker Barents was delivered and started operations according to the plans presented by Aker in its forth quarter 2008 report, Aker Spitsbergen has been delayed by a further few months. Statoil and Aker Drilling has until recently negotiated the practical and financial consequences of the delays, including liquidated damages (LD) for late delivery, the cost of additional equipment and day rates. Certain completion operations and tests still remain to be carried out before drilling operations begin. Further upgrades have been agreed and will be implemented at a later stage.
The additional costs and other financial consequences of the agreement with StatoilHydro have mostly been covered by gains on currency transactions, as reported by Aker ASA in the second quarter. Day penalties that StatoilHydro can claim from Aker Drilling make up a limited share of Aker Drillings total additional costs. The penalties are covered by a claim from Aker Drilling to Aker Solutions. This issue has been known to Aker Solutions and the company has in its previous reporting confirmed that this has been taken into account.
- For us in Aker Drilling, this is a day to remember. We are about to put the building phase behind us and start what we have been looking forward to for several years, safe and effective operations. Our rigs are made to find new oil and gas resources and to contribute to make the development of these profitable to the benefit of our customers and the state, says Geir Sjøberg, CEO of Aker Drilling.
For further information, please contact:
Geir Sjøberg, CEO Aker Drilling, tel: +47 51 21 49 15
Geir Arne Drangeid, EVP communications Aker ASA, tel: +47 24 13 00 65
2Q 2010 Report