Statoil has taken over the new drilling rig, Stena Don. The five-year operations contract with the Stena Drilling shipping company is thereby realised.
Stena Don has received the approval of the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate and Statoil, and is today, 21 December, leaving the Offshore & Marine shipyard in Sandnes en route to the Halten Bank. To begin with the rig will be operating in the Norne area, and the first well will be drilled on the Stær prospect. The rig should be in position on the field on Monday.
This rig is one of the most modern drilling rigs in the world. It has a dynamic positioning system, which means that it can hold its position without the use of anchors. It can therefore be moved quickly from one drilling location to another without the risk of coming into conflict with subsea facilities.