WEST AQUARIUS

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ExxonMobil Contracts Semi-Submersible West Aquarius for Work Offshore Canada

Seadrill Partners announced it has secured a one-well contract with ExxonMobil for its semi-submersible West Aquarius off the east coast of Canada. Backlog for the firm portion of the contract is expected to be approximately $24 million and commencement is expected between May and July 2019, which works out to a day rate of approximately $260,000. The West Aquarius was previously contracted to BP for work in Canada from April to August 2018 at a day rate of $260,000, according to Seadrill’s latest fleet status update. West Aquarius was built in 2009 and has a maximum drilling depth of 10,000 feet.

Drilliing fluids spilled in the water

BP Canada has reported a spill of drilling fluids from its oil exploration operation taking place off the coast of Nova Scotia. 136 cubic metres spilled from the "West Aquarius" on June 22, 2018, before it was stopped. An early investigation by the company indicated the spill occurred in piping about 30 metres below sea level. The exploration well was secure and drilling has been suspended while the cause of the leak was investigated. Synthetic-based mud is a heavy, dense fluid used during drilling to lubricate the drill pipe and regulate reservoir pressure. Because of its weight, the mud sinks rapidly in the water column to the sea floor. The synthetic based oil used in SBM was of low toxicity. The "West Aquarius" was located approximately 330 kilometres southeast of Halifax. Drilling will not resume until BP Canada receives approval from the CNSOPB that it may proceed.

Worker injured during maintenance work

An employee on the "West Aquarius" working off the coast of Newfoundland suffered a serious injury after his fingers became trapped in a piece of moving equipment. Hibernia Management and Development Company reported to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board that the worker was conducting maintenance on the blowout preventer, which is used seal, control and monitor oil and gas wells, on Aug 15, 2015, when the incident occurred. The man's fingertips on his left hand were caught between moving equipment, and had to be airlifted to hospital in St. John's for treatment. Work on the blowout preventer was suspended after the employee was injured, pending an investigation by the operator, a C-NLOPB statement said Thursday. The Seadrill engineer was off for several days but has since returned to work. He was cleared to work again starting on Aug 21 udner restrictive duties.