ConocoPhillips’s ERD Rig Being Reassembled

The Doyon 26 extended reach drilling rig (ERD), the largest mobile land rig in North America, is being reassembled in Deadhorse for use on the North Slope by ConocoPhillips, which commissioned it with Doyon Drilling in October 2016.

In its 2019 plan of development, ConocoPhillips said it plans to drill six wells at its Fiord West field with the new ERD rig starting early in second quarter 2020. Fiord West is expected to produce 20,000 barrels of oil per day gross at its peak.

Originally assembled in Nisku, Alberta, the rig was broken down into 267 separate tractor-trailer loads that began their 2,400 mile journey to Deadhorse in July.

“It’s been arriving in loads the entire fall and the team is beginning the reassembly process,” ConocoPhillips Alaska spokeswoman Natalie Lowman said.