Transocean wins, NOPSEMA directs

SWISS-based Transocean Ltd has been awarded a six-well drilling contract in Australia with an undisclosed operator at an undisclosed location.

Transocean says the estimated 320-day campaign is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2027 and contribute approximately US$130 million in backlog, excluding compensation for mobilisation and demobilisation.

The award includes priced options that, if fully exercised, could keep the drillship Deepwater Skyros working in Australia into early 2030.

Deepwater Skyros is a Samsung 12000-type ultra-deepwater dual-activity drillship, equipped for maximum drilling depth at 12,192 metres and able to operate in water depths of up to 3,658 metres. The 2013-built DP3 rig is outfitted with six azimuth Rolls Royce thrusters, can accommodate 215 people and flies the Marshall Islands flag.

Separately, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety & Environmental Management Authority has directed Bass Strait operator SGH Energy VICP54 Pty Ltd, the registered holder of petroleum Production Licence VIC/L29 to immediately rectify an ongoing methane leak from the abandoned Longtom well off Victoria’s Marlo in Gippsland.

SGH Energy is wholly owned by ASX listed Seven Group Holdings, 51% owned by Kerry Stokes.

The well was abandoned in 2015 due to electrical failure of the control umbilical and in 2023 SGH was obliged to rectify a detected leak and monitor the gas field, which, NOPSEMA says, it has not done.

Now under section 574 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 SGH has been directed to assess the barrier condition of the Longtom-3H and Longtom-4H wells; take the necessary actions to stop the leak emanating from the Longtom-3H wellhead Christmas tree; and provide a report to NOPSEMA in relation to the outcome of the activities identified. This must be completed by 31 March 2026.

By no later than 30 April 2026 SGH must submit to NOPSEMA a technical study which sets out the suitability of the Longtom wells for future service and re-instate continuous monitoring of well integrity no later than 30 October 2027.

There are significant penalties for non-compliance with NOPSEMA’s directions.