Client: Ensco PLC / Ensco Australia Pty Ltd
Project / Location: Ichthys Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project, Ichthys Field (approximately 220 km off the Western Australian coast)
Facility Name: Ensco 5006
Duration of Project: January 2015 – ongoing (4 years + a possible further 4 year extension)
Project Description
The Ensco 5006 semi-submersible drilling rig is the development drilling rig for the INPEX operated Ichthys field; located approximately 220 km offshore Western Australia, Ichthys represents the largest discovery of hydrocarbon liquids in Australia in 40 years.
The Ensco 5006 rig was towed from Cyprus to the Singapore Keppel FELS shipyard, via South Africa, where it received fit-for-purpose upgrades for the Ichthys Project.
The Ensco 5006 arrived on location in late January 2015 and the first development well was spudded on 3 February 2015. The first phase of drilling consists of 20 wells, within the Brewster reservoir (4000 m – 4500 m beneath the seabed), and is estimated to take approximately 40 months. The development of the Ichthys field requires the drilling of approximately 50 wells in total and could potentially take 8 years to complete.
The Ichthys LNG project is using directional drilling technology and the wells are grouped around five drill centres, each designed to accommodate 4 – 6 wells.
Project Solution
Ensco PLC awarded SKILLED Offshore Pty Ltd, since re-branded Programmed Marine (PM), the contract to provide drilling personnel for the Ensco 5006. PM drilling personnel joined the Ensco 5006 in Cape Town, South Africa and will remain through to the completion of the development drilling works on the Ichthys project.
Since the tow from Cape Town, South Africa, Programmed Marine has maintained a core crew of over 80 drilling personnel on the Ensco 5006, with the following positions being supplied in an ongoing fixed term capacity:
- Driller
- Assistant Driller
- Derrickman
- Floorman
- Deck Supervisor
- Crane Operator
- Dogman
- Roustabout
- Painters
- Electrical Technician
- Electrician
- Motorman
- Welder
- Radio Operator
- Safety Training Coordinator
- Materialsman
PM also assists Ensco with travel management services and associated logistics for all PM, Ensco, Ensco 3rd party contractors and Sodexo personnel, between Perth and Broome.
Project Outcome
As at June 2016, the Ensco 5006 had completed 4 wells and was being moved to its next location to continue drilling for the Ichthys campaign.
The Ensco 5006 was awarded Ensco’s “Rig of The Quarter” for the 1st quarter of 2016 and simultaneously all personnel involved in the rig operations, including the PM crew, were commended for achieving one year without a recordable incident.
PM takes pride in assisting Ensco to develop and implement innovative ideas, to ensure the facility is an industry leader in safety and productivity. Feedback from Ensco, in regards to our people and our service, has been consistently positive.
