08-03-04
A record number of drilling rigs currently is working in ultra-deepwater in
the Gulf of Mexico, the Minerals Management Service reported. Operators will ultra deepwater programs include Chevron, Anadarko, Shell
Offshore, BHP Billiton, BP, Dominion and Union Oil. Transocean, GlobalSantaFe,
Pride and Diamond Offshore own rigs drilling the wells.
Source: OilOnlineMMS counts record number of drilling rigs in Gulf's deepwaters
For the first time, 12 rigs are drilling for oil and gas in 5,000 feet of water
or greater in the Gulf, a milestone that demonstrates how industry continues to
focus on new frontiers, MMS said.
Five ultra deepwater discoveries were announced in 2001, three in 2003 and six
in 2003.