Qatar Petroleum (QP) is to issue a tender this month for six drilling rigs for its major LNG expansion. The announcement was made by QP CEO Saad al-Kaabi on 9 October during the Oil & Money conference in London. QP plans to increase LNG production capacity from 77mn t/y to 110mn t/y by 2024 (MEES, 28 September).
Mr Kaabi says the six rigs will drill 70-100 wells. Awarding contracts for the six rigs will be the first major step towards the expansion following May’s award of a “detailed design” contract to US contractor McDermott for six offshore jackets (MEES, 11 May). QP also announced in May that it intends to award “the procurement, fabrication and installation (EPCI) contract by the end of this year, which will pave the way to commencing the drilling campaign in 2019.” (CONTINUED - 302 WORDS)
