Qatar Petroleum awarded contracts to international firms for a total of 80 new gas wells to boost natural gas production, the company said late Wednesday.
Drilling rigs are planned to be mobilized and ready for drilling activities starting from January 2020, according to the company.
The drilling program planned for the eight rigs is a major component of the expansion project to increase Qatar鈥檚 LNG production capacity from 77 million tonnes per year to 110 million tonnes per year.
"The scope includes the drilling and completion of 80 new wells from eight wellhead platform locations," it said.
"Contracts for six of the eight rigs were awarded to Gulf Drilling International (GDI), while the contracts for the remaining two rigs were awarded to Northern Offshore Drilling Operations Limited, operating out of the U.S. The contracts are awarded for committed terms ranging from two to four years, with exercisable options to extend the drilling program durations if required," Qatar Petroleum said.
Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the minister of state for Energy Affairs, and the president & CEO of Qatar Petroleum said "the award is another important milestone towards delivering on Qatar Petroleum鈥檚 long term strategy of increasing Qatar鈥檚 LNG production capacity," which he said is "progressing well and according to plan on all fronts."
By Murat Temizer
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr