Short-term contract awarded to Bull Arm fabrication site for work on ultra-deepwater semi-submersible drilling rig

Local contractor DF Barnes has been awarded a contract by Seadrill that will bring the ultra-deepwater semi-submersible drilling rig, West Aquarius, to the Bull Arm fabrication site.

Nalcor Energy-Bull Arm Fabrication has signed a short-term agreement for the fabrication yard with DF Barnes that will see work begin at site in December and continue into spring 2019.

The work scope includes warm stacking, thruster change outs as well as hull inspection and cleaning. This scope of work could be expanded as the rig further prepares for planned drilling activity taking place in the waters off Newfoundland in 2019.

“Newfoundland and Labrador is on the verge of a new era in frontier oil exploration and development and Bull Arm is Atlantic Canada’s largest fabrication yard with a history of supporting oil and gas opportunities,” said Jim Keating, executive vice president, Offshore Development and Corporate Services. “We’re happy to welcome the West Aquarius back to the province and look forward to these exploration programs further building our knowledge surrounding the full resource potential of our province.”

Work on the West Aquarius will take place within the fabrication yard and associated pier.

Separate from this short-term agreement with DF Barnes, a request for proposal process is ongoing as part of Nalcor’s planning for the future use of the site. A decision is pending as discussions continue with two proponents – DF Barnes and Canadian Supply Base Company in an effort to maximize site utilization.