CIMC Semi-Submersible Secures UK North Sea Contract for 2027 Drilling

CIMC-owned Beacon Pacific has secured a six-well UK Continental Shelf drilling contract from Serica Energy. The semi-submersible is scheduled to begin operations in the third quarter of 2027.

Beacon Pacific Offshore Ltd, a project company under Shenzhen CIMC Offshore Investment, has signed a drilling services contract with Serica Energy (UK) Limited. The sixth-generation harsh-environment semi-submersible rig Beacon Pacific is scheduled to begin work on the UK Continental Shelf in the third quarter of 2027 after reactivation and modification.

The contract covers a firm six-well programme and includes options for additional activity. Serica said the first wells will be drilled at the Bruce field, marking the field’s first drilling campaign since 2012. The Bruce infill wells are expected to target more than 10,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day of incremental production, with first output potentially following about 12 months after drilling begins.

Serica is also considering further opportunities at Kyla and in the Greater Laggan Area, subject to partner and regulatory approvals. The company estimates that the portfolio of opportunities targeted by the campaign could add up to 30,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. This is a portfolio-level potential estimate, rather than a production commitment for the six firm wells.

The parties have distinct contractual and operating roles. Beacon Pacific Offshore Ltd is the rig project company and contracting party with Serica, while CIMC Offshore Investment is the asset owner and manager. Odfjell Drilling will provide operational management throughout the contract, including mobilisation and transit to the United Kingdom. Reactivation work has already partly begun.

Built by CIMC Raffles to the GM4D design, Beacon Pacific is 107 metres long and 74 metres wide, with a 42-metre depth to the main deck. It is equipped with DP3 dynamic positioning, offline drilling and active heave compensation systems. Serica said the upgraded rig will be capable of operating in water depths of about 620 metres and could also support plugging and abandonment work.

Beacon Pacific is the third sister unit in the GM4D series. The similarly designed Deepsea Yantai has operated in Norwegian waters under Odfjell Drilling management for several years. The new contract moves Beacon Pacific into preparation for a long-term UK North Sea campaign and will expand Odfjell Drilling’s managed harsh-environment fleet.