Stena Drilling 将升级其第七代钻井船Stena Evolution，以处理需要 20,000 psi (20K) 压力控制的钻井和完井作业。该钻井船已经具备了处理各种钻井作业的能力，包括全球海上油气田的勘探、开发和生产活动。据钻机所有者称，升级该船可进行 20K 次作业将使 Stena Drilling 继续处于钻探行业技术进步的前沿。

Stena Drilling将与设备供应商NOV和壳牌一起，于2026年开始安装20K海底防喷器和其他关键设备。安装完这一新的20K设备包后，Stena Evolution将能够在斯巴达油田代表壳牌位于美国墨西哥湾（GOM）。最初，斯巴达将支持八口石油和天然气生产井。

去年5月，壳牌公司与Stena公司签订了一份为期5年的钻井船使用合同。该学期将于今年第二季度开始。该合同包括主要期限完成后的延期选择权。

“我们非常兴奋和自豪地宣布Stena Evolution的 20K 设备升级，”Stena Drilling 首席执行官 Erik Rasensberg 说道。 “这项投资加强了我们对海上钻井领域创新的奉献精神，以及我们为客户提供顶级钻井服务的承诺。它还体现了我们对最高标准的安全和环境责任的全力投入和关注。”

壳牌去年 12 月做出了对 Sparta 的最终投资决定，并将采用与 100,000 B/D Vito 和 Whale 装置非常相似的浮式生产装置设计。据壳牌称，Sparta 复制了 Whale 约 95% 的船体和 Whale 85% 的上部结构。 Sparta 还标志着壳牌在 GOM 的第一个利用 20K 油藏进行生产的开发项目。

Sparta预计将达到约90,000桶油当量的峰值产量，并估计已发现的可采资源量为2.44亿桶油当量。 Sparta 计划于 2028 年开始生产。

壳牌拥有 Sparta 51% 的运营权益。合作伙伴Equinor持有剩余49%的股份。

Stena Drilling will upgrade its 7th-generation drillship Stena Evolution to handle drilling and completing wells that require 20,000-psi (20K) pressure control. The drillship is already equipped to handle a wide range of drilling operations, including exploration, development, and production activities in offshore oil and gas fields worldwide. According to the rig owner, upgrading the vessel for 20K operations will enable Stena Drilling to remain in the forefront of technological advancement in the drilling industry.

Stena Drilling, together with equipment supplier NOV, and Shell, will start the installation of the 20K subsea blowout preventer and other key equipment in 2026. When this new 20K equipment package is installed, the Stena Evolution will be able to perform completion operations in the Sparta field on behalf of Shell in the US Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Initially, Sparta will support eight oil-and-gas-producing wells.

Shell awarded a 5-year contract to Stena for use of the drillship last May. The term is due to start during the second quarter of this year. The contract includes an extension option upon completion of the primary term.

“We are very excited and proud to announce the 20K equipment upgrade for the Stena Evolution,” said Erik Rønsberg, CEO at Stena Drilling. “This investment reinforces our dedication to innovation within the offshore drilling sector and our commitment to delivering top-tier drilling services to our clients. It also reflects our full dedication and focus to the highest standards of safety and environmental responsibility.”

Shell took its final investment decision on Sparta last December and will utilize a floating production unit design that closely replicates the 100,000 B/D Vito and Whale units. According to Shell, Sparta replicates about 95% of Whale’s hull and 85% of Whale’s topsides. Sparta also marks Shell’s first development in the GOM to produce from 20K reservoirs.

Sparta is expected to reach a peak production of approximately 90,000 BOED and has an estimated, discovered recoverable resource volume of 244 million BOE. Sparta is scheduled to begin production in 2028.

Shell operates Sparta with a 51% working interest. Partner Equinor holds the remaining 49% stake.