Eni has initiated a prequalification process to secure a floating drilling unit for a campaign of at least one well on its ultra-deepwater North Ganal production sharing contract (PSC) offshore Indonesia. The operator requires a drillship capable of operating in water depths upwards of 2000 to 2200 metres. The contract scope includes offshore drilling and support services, such as drilling, well testing, subsea completion, and Christmas tree installation.

Drillship Specifications and Contract Details

The proposed drillship must be equipped with a DP3 dynamic positioning system, be capable of dual activity, and ensure zero discharge. When working on the riser section, it must function as a dual-activity rig and be able to operate with either a dual or single blowout preventer (BOP). The offshore campaign is scheduled to commence in the first or second quarter of 2026, with an estimated total contract period of 12 months. Ancillary services are also part of the contract work scope.

Potential Candidate and Historical Context

Seadrill's drillship, the West Capella, is currently warm-stacked in Malaysia and is being actively tendered for work in Southeast Asia. This rig previously drilled Eni's successful Geng North-1 wildcat on the North Ganal block in 2023, a multi-trillion cubic feet gas discovery that is central to Eni's Kutei Northern Hub (KNH) project.

Regulatory Framework and Local Content Requirements

Although the prequalification notice specifies a requirement for an Indonesian-flagged drilling unit, the contract only mandates a minimum local content (TKDN) of 18%. Indonesia's strict cabotage legislation, clarified and strengthened by Law 66/2024, generally prohibits foreign-flagged vessels and non-Indonesian crew from most domestic maritime operations. However, key exemptions remain, allowing foreign-flagged vessels to operate for designated purposes, such as offshore energy operations, provided no Indonesian-flagged vessels are available and the activities do not involve transporting passengers or goods. This ensures operational continuity for industries reliant on specialized vessels.

Eni's Current Operations and Challenges

Eni has faced challenges in fulfilling its Indonesian drilling unit requirements this year, leading to at least one re-tender process. The company is concurrently advancing its Gendalo-Gandang and KNH developments and conducting an exploration campaign in its East Ganal work area, which includes the Geliga, Konta, and Kadal wildcats. Currently, Eni has the semi-submersible rig SSV Catarina, owned by Ventura Offshore, on charter offshore East Kalimantan. Eni recently exercised the second of four one-well options for this rig, extending its contract into the first quarter of 2026. If all options are exercised, the rig could remain under charter until August 2026. The SSV Catarina is a sixth-generation rig capable of operating in water depths up to 10,000 feet (3048 metres). Ventura Offshore has stated its intention to secure additional backlog beyond the Eni contract and will pursue opportunities both within and outside Southeast Asia.

Submission Deadline

Prospective bidders must electronically submit their prequalification documentation by 4pm West Indonesian Time (9am GMT) on 28 November.