Lagos, Nigeria – Oando Energy Services Limited (“OESL”), a subsidiary of Oando PLC and Nigeria’s leading indigenous operator of swamp drilling rigs, has announced the deployment of one of its swamp rigs, ‘OES Passion’ to execute a two year drilling contract, valued at N12 billion with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in the Niger Delta. This brings to three the number of rigs OESL has in operation following the deployment of ‘OES Integrity’ in 2009 and ‘OES Teamwork’ in 2010.
OES Passion is a unique swamp barge with sequential well drilling capabilities and a skidding system that enables it to drill up to six wells in one location. The rig is rated to 3000HP, thereby able to drill up to 25,000ft in water depths of up to 16 ft.
To ensure optimal performance on deployment, OESL committed to a comprehensive lifetime enhancement programme. This upgrade included the restoration of the cantilever skidding system which is expected to save the client up to 30 days for every six wells drilled thus significantly reducing the overall cost of drilling campaigns. Also modernised were the mud pumps, the electric-motor driven engines, the top drive and the accommodation module.
With a technical team that was 99% constituted by Nigerians, several competent indigenous contractors, and the refurbishment project undertaken at the Federal Lighter Terminal in Onne, Port Harcourt, this project is a testament of Oando’s support for the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry Development Content Act and local capacity development programme of the Federal Government.
According to Mr. Bandele Badejo, Chief Executive Officer of OESL, “The deployment of this rig further underlines OESL’s commitment to ensuring competent indigenous companies take advantage of the provisions of the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry Development Act. We remain resolute towards developing Nigeria’s upstream service industry and continue to set the benchmark for performance. Following the success of our previously deployed rigs, OESL has built a reputation as the drilling contractor of choice among the major oil companies and we will not relent in our mission to be the upstream preferred supplier of choice as we strive to achieve better operating efficiencies and better safety performance for our clients and other stakeholders”.
Also commenting, Mr. Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive Officer, Oando PLC, “Our business strategy of diversification and expansion into the upstream oil & gas sector is yielding positive results, thereby consolidating our leadership as Nigeria’s foremost indigenous integrated energy conglomerate. In 2011, our upstream division accounted for approximately 33% of the group’s profits and this year, we are committed to further increasing our footprint in the upstream sector as we help to meet the nation’s energy challenges. Subsequently, our fourth rig is billed to be deployed in the last quarter of 2012 in line with our resolve to increase earnings by maximising opportunities in the upstream space.”
“This contract is an affirmation of our belief and indeed proof that indigenous companies can execute at world class levels. OES Passion brings to three, the number of rigs we have in our operating fleet, currently executing drilling contracts for the majors in the Niger Delta, reinforcing our business principles of doing things right, creating the right value proposition for our Customers, Government, Host Communities and thereby ultimately increasing shareholder value”. He added.
In line with the group’s unwavering dedication to safety, OESL operates a comprehensive Health, Safety and Environment system that includes an extensive use of risk assessment and proactive prevention programmes such the Task Planning and See-Think-Act-Reinforce-Report processes. This culture has continued to ensure a zero loss time injury as OESL recently celebrated two years of incident-free operations on OES Teamwork on January 21, 2012 and on OES Integrity last year August.
Note to Editors
About OESL
Oando Energy Services Limited is Nigeria’s foremost integrated oilfield services company that utilises industry best practices and innovative technology in delivering safe and environmentally sound well operations and high quality support to E&P companies in the Niger Delta.
The company’s services are aimed at increasing oilfield efficiency, lower operating and production costs improve productivity and increase asset value in a safe manner.
OESL’s oilfield services solutions include:
• Total Fluid Management (Drilling, Production & Completion Fluids)
• Drill Bits and Engineering Services; (Roller Cone and Fixed Cutter)
• Drilling Rigs Services
The company is the largest swamp drilling rig operator in Nigeria with the following rigs in its fleet;
• OES Teamwork
• OES Respect
• OES Integrity
• OES Passion
• OES Professionalism
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