GulfSlope Energy Inc (GSPE)

[spec machine]

No details on a rig contract yet

The possible preference for Ensco (Ralph Coffman) to drill Tau2 isn't very strong IMO, any suitable harsh weather rig can do it

So it boils down to capability, availability, day rate, and possibly a "previous working familiarity" with the leasing company (and key players within)

The rig fleet has undergone some consolidation and it was briefly touched on here on this board

In short, Ensco and Rowan are now part of Valaris

Rig availability data is a little elusive with some general info available on "utilization rate" which is contracted rigs/available rigs

Available rigs would be operationally ready and inspections current

Warm stacked vs cold stacked is a lot harder to figure since there is no information on how much work and $ is required to get any particular rig from cold stacked to operating status

Valaris currently has 12 rigs which I believe are suitable for Tau2 and 6 are positioned geographically favorable to the Tau2 location

Valaris has one suitable stacked rig, location unknown

The total harsh weather jackup fleet is at 80% utilization, all companies, worldwide, according to Valaris in their Sept '21 presentation

Valaris is at 96% utilization for all jackups worldwide

So there's a fair chance that there is currently a suitable rig available near term and odds for availability increase with lead time considering that rigs roll off of contracts regularly

data source

https://s23.q4cdn.com/956522167/files/doc_presentations/2021/09/Valaris-Investor-Presentation_September-2021.pdf

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