Statoil has decided to cancel the final phase of the contract with North Atlantic Drilling for the West Epsilon jack-up rig.
The rig has been on contract to Statoil since 29 December 2010, performing operations for the Sleipner, Gudrun and Huldra licences. West Epsilon is currently performing permanent well plugging operations on the Huldra field, the work programme being completed ahead of schedule.
The rig will be sent ashore for equipment demobilisation after completing operations, by the first half of October. The contract will be cancelled after the demobilisation work has been completed, about two months earlier than the original contract expiry date.
The licences do not have any work programme for the remaining contract period, nor does Statoil have any other activities where the available capacity can be used.