Halliburton Norge has secured a four-year service contract from Wintershall Norge to support its exploration and development projects in Norway.

The contract is effective immediately and will be used for drilling-associated services on Wintershall’s Maria development in the Norwegian Sea, and it can also be used for other Wintershall activities.

“At an uncertain time for the industry, this contract provides a timely boost for the supplier market while laying the groundwork for efficient construction of our operated development and exploration wells over the rest of the decade,” said Bernd Schrimpf, managing director of Wintershall Norge.

Wintershall and Halliburton will immediately begin collaborating on detailed engineering work prior to the start of drilling for the Maria development in the first half of 2017. Early next year, Halliburton will provide services supporting the drilling of six development wells on Maria’s subsea templates located at a depth of around 300 meters on the Halten Terrace in the Norwegian Sea, Wintershall explained.

Maria’s two templates will be linked via a subsea tieback to the Kristin, Heidrun and Åsgard B production platforms.

“With this contract, we are further pressing ahead with our first operated development in Norway. By using clear performance incentives, we are creating value for Wintershall, our partners and the Norwegian E&P supply chain,” said Hugo Dijkgraaf, Wintershall director for the Maria Project.

Through the contract Halliburton will supply drilling services and associated tools, drilling and completion fluids, cementing, and coring. There is also an option for plugging and abandoning services.

The four-year contract contains options to extend for up to four additional years, Wintershall added.