Awilco Drilling PLC, a UK-based drilling contractor, and Hess Limited have mutually agreed to release the WilHunter semi-submersible rig ahead of the December 1, 2015 contract date as a consequence of the early completion of the decommissioning program.
Awilco has said that there will be no negative financial repercussions to either party as a result of this early release.
To remind, in February 2015, Hess allowed the max 275 days option, that was supposed to start in December and last till April 2016, to lapse thus leaving the rig contracted until December 2015.
The WilHunter, built by South Korean Daewo Shipbuilding & Heavy Machinery in 1983 and upgraded in Remontowa Shipyard in 2011, is now moored at Invergordon and is being actively marketed against future opportunities.
The WilHunter is one of Awilco Drilling’s two Enhanced Pacesetter semi-submersibles and is equipped for operations in water depths up to 1,500ft.