New Oil Rig Arrives At Site
Sep 07, 2003
The new rig that will be used to drill for oil in exploration area 2 in the Albertine Graben (Semliki) has already arrived in the country.
By Emmy Olaki
The new rig that will be used to drill for oil in exploration area 2 in the Albertine Graben (Semliki) has already arrived in the country.
Brian Westwood, the director of Heritage Oil (Uganda) said last week, the rig that came in from South Africa arrived in Mombasa about 10 days ago and is already at the site.
“We have started assembling the oil rig, and we expect to begin the drilling exercise on the 20th of September,†he said.
“The whole team is there now. Eagle Drill is still contracted to do the drilling exercise, and this should be ready anytime now,†he said.
About three months ago, Heritage was awarded the license to prospect for oil in exploration area 2 (Semliki). However test drilling was disrupted when the drill string of the previous rig got stuck in the well.
The company abandoned the well and had to import this bigger and stronger version.
“The rig we have got this time is five times bigger and stronger than the one we used last time. We shall drill in the same area, but a different well,†he said.
Meanwhile, another team has started carrying out seismic studies in the waters of Lake Albert. Studies were already carried out on the land.
Westwood said they have also got permission from the Democratic Republic of Congo to do seismic studies on their side of the lake as well.
“So the whole of Lake Albert is going to be done,†he said.
Heritage is carrying out the studies together with a firm called Hardman.
Ends
The new rig that will be used to drill for oil in exploration area 2 in the Albertine Graben (Semliki) has already arrived in the country.
Brian Westwood, the director of Heritage Oil (Uganda) said last week, the rig that came in from South Africa arrived in Mombasa about 10 days ago and is already at the site.
“We have started assembling the oil rig, and we expect to begin the drilling exercise on the 20th of September,†he said.
“The whole team is there now. Eagle Drill is still contracted to do the drilling exercise, and this should be ready anytime now,†he said.
About three months ago, Heritage was awarded the license to prospect for oil in exploration area 2 (Semliki). However test drilling was disrupted when the drill string of the previous rig got stuck in the well.
The company abandoned the well and had to import this bigger and stronger version.
“The rig we have got this time is five times bigger and stronger than the one we used last time. We shall drill in the same area, but a different well,†he said.
Meanwhile, another team has started carrying out seismic studies in the waters of Lake Albert. Studies were already carried out on the land.
Westwood said they have also got permission from the Democratic Republic of Congo to do seismic studies on their side of the lake as well.
“So the whole of Lake Albert is going to be done,†he said.
Heritage is carrying out the studies together with a firm called Hardman.
Ends