The Stena-Icemax: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

In a heart-wrenching incident, Colin Gillespie, a 53-year-old crane operator employed by Aberdeen's Stena Drilling, tragically lost his life after falling from the quayside while returning to the IceMax drilling vessel in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. The accident occurred late on Saturday evening around 11:30 PM. Despite immediate efforts to rescue him from the water, Gillespie succumbed to severe head injuries sustained during the fall. Stena Drilling has issued a formal statement regarding the unfortunate incident, underscoring their commitment to investigating the circumstances. The statement reads, "Stena Drilling Limited confirms a tragic accident has occurred involving one of our crewmembers whilst returning from shore leave to the vessel Stena IceMAX in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain." The company expressed its condolences and emphasized the prompt activation of emergency medical response procedures post-accident, although, regrettably, Gillespie did not survive. This incident underscores the inherent risks faced by maritime professionals and the importance of safety protocols in the industry.

Providence Resources P.l.c. (PVR LN, PRP ID), a prominent oil and gas exploration company based in Ireland, has recently shared important developments regarding the Frontier Exploration Licence (FEL) 2/14 drilling initiative. This project is situated approximately 220 kilometers off the southwestern coast of Ireland, in the southern Porcupine Basin, where water depths reach around 2,250 meters. The management of the FEL 2/14 is spearheaded by Providence Resources, which holds an 80% stake, along with its partner Sosina Exploration Limited, owning the remaining 20%. These two companies are collectively recognized as the JV Partners. The FEL 2/14 contains notable exploration targets including the Paleocene “Druid” and the Lower Cretaceous “Drombeg.” To facilitate the drilling process, Providence has finalized an agreement with Stena Drillmax Ice Limited, a subsidiary of Stena International S.A., to provide the advanced Stena IceMAX drill-ship. This cutting-edge dual derrick drill-ship is specifically engineered for harsh environments and can operate in water depths of up to approximately 3 kilometers. The contract stipulates the drilling of one primary well, with an option for a second well at the discretion of the JV Partners. The operational rate for the rig is set at $185,000 per day. In conjunction with this contract, additional service contracts are currently being drafted for the upcoming drilling activities. Pending the usual regulatory approvals and consents, the 53/6-A exploration well is slated to commence drilling in June 2017.

In an exciting development for the energy sector, Shell Canada has successfully secured the Stena IceMax drill ship for its ambitious $1 billion exploratory drilling program off the shores of Nova Scotia in 2015. The announcement was made by a representative in Halifax on Monday, who emphasized that this is contingent upon getting the necessary regulatory approvals for their drilling plan. "This is a very sophisticated ship," stated Larry Lalonde, underlining the advanced technology of the Stena IceMax, hailed as the latest addition to the Stena fleet. Measuring 228 meters in length and owned by Stena Drilling based in Aberdeen, Scotland, the vessel is currently engaged in drilling operations for Shell in the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, the Stena IceMax has previous experience in conducting explorations off the coast of French Guiana in South America. Notably designed for Arctic conditions, the drill ship boasts a fully automated drilling system along with cutting-edge GPS positioning technology, making it a formidable asset for deepwater exploration. Earlier this month, Energy Minister Andrew Younger had the opportunity to visit the Stena IceMax in Houston during an energy industry conference. Younger remarked on the importance of witnessing the vessel in action, particularly its adherence to stringent safety protocols and environmental protection measures.