Qatari oil and gas drilling company Gulf Drilling International (GDI) has placed an order worth US$53mn with US-based Superior Derrick Services (SDS) to construct two new land rigs for Qatar Petroleum (QP)
The two rigs, named GDI-7 and GDI-8 have a capacity of 1,500HP and 3,000HP respectively, stated officials at GDI. According to reports, the 3,000HP GDI-8 will be the largest land rig in the company's fleet.
Ibrahim J Al Othman, CEO of GDI, said, "The addition of these two new rigs will positively impact GDI's profitability and long term sustainability."
GDI-7 will take 10 months, and GDI-8 is expected to take one year to be delivered at the SDS factory. Following the delivery, GDI-7 and GDI-8 will be placed in service in Q3 and Q4 2015 respectively, explained officials at GDI.
Rodney Verret, managing partner of SDS, said, "This is our first contract in Qatar and we look forward to building a long-term relationship with GDI and to be a viable option to provide further assets to their growing fleet."
With these new rigs, GDI's land rig fleet comes to a total of eight, including a 3,000HP rig, a 2,000HP rig, as well as three 1,500HP rigs, and another three 1,000HP work-over rigs. All rigs are under long-term contracts to QP for drilling operations being conducted on the Dukhan oilfield, according to reports.
GDI has been investing consistently over the past few years to expand and upgrade its land operations in and around Dukhan, western Qatar. In addition to drilling rigs, GDI also has a strong unit of ancillary equipment used for transportation, rig moves, well-site preparation, catering, communication and the drilling of water wells.
In addition there are several offices, warehouses and workshops across the Middle East to support the growth of the ancillary equipment.
