ICHTHYS operator Inpex has suspended a contract with drilling contractor Maersk for its next phase development program in WA-50-L offshore northern Australia.

In Maersk's latest trading statement released overnight, the contractor advised shareholders it had received a suspension notice from Inpex and agreed to a suspension rate for its Maersk Deliverer Mobile Jackup rig. 

"Maersk Drilling has agreed with Inpex Australia to suspend the contract for Maersk Deliverer with effect from 30 April 2020," the company said.

The vessel is currently at the Ichthys standby location, according to MarineTraffic.

According to Maersk, the rig will now be re-contracted to drill Inpex's significant development campaign in the final quarter of this year.

The campaign includes 15 new development wells, drilled in water depths of between 235 metres and 275m. 

According to plans submitted to and approved by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) the Ichthys Phase-2 development was expected to take five years to complete. 

Japan's Inpex was given the all-clear to begin its next stage subsea work program in late April. 

It contracted McDermott International and Baker Hughes to provide joint umbilicals, risers and flowlines, and subsea production systems for the campaign. 

Phase 2 development of the Ichthys field will increase condensate production for export to Japan and other international markets, while gas will be piped to the Ichthys LNG plant in Darwin for processing. 

Source: Energy News Bulletin

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