FRENCH supermajor Total has been given special permission by South Africa's government that, despite ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, allow it to bring the Deepsea Stavanger semi-submersible rig into the country this year for a closely watched drilling campaign. Last month, the government gazetted "directions" - under the Disaster Management Act of 2002 - which mean the rig can operate in South African waters, if certain conditions are satisfied. Before Total can bring Odfjell's Deepsea Stavanger to South Africa, it must pull together a Covid-19 workplace plan and put in place appropriate measures to protect the health and safety of workers. According to VesselsValue, the semisub is currently moored at Hanoytangen yard in Norway. The rig is due to arrive in South Africa in time to spud the Luiperd-1 probe in Block 11B/12B in September, followed by the nearby Blassop-1 well. Upstream reported recently that that the third well in this campaign is set to target the giant Kloofpadda structure in the east of Block 11B/12B. There is also market talk that Total could enter discussions with Odfjell to extend the charter of Deepsea Stavanger and would use the rig to appraise prospects in the Paddavissie fairway.
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