Ocean Oilfield has secured a drilling contract from Tende Energy to deploy its Ocean MVM jackup rig for the Abiod well programme on the Maâmoura concession in Tunisia’s Gulf of Hammamet.
The contract, announced on 6 November 2026, covers a planned sidetrack drilling operation from the existing Maâmoura E2 well to access an undeveloped fractured carbonate reservoir.
According to Anglo Tunisian Oil & Gas (ATOG), the proposed Abiod development well is targeting gross production exceeding 6,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd). Actual output will depend on drilling results and reservoir performance.
The Abiod reservoir was discovered in 1987 and appraised in 1988. A drill stem test conducted during the appraisal recorded flows of 3,500 barrels of oil per day and 20 million cubic feet of gas per day.
The development plan involves producing hydrocarbons through existing infrastructure, with output routed to the Tazerka onshore processing facility rather than requiring an entirely new offshore production platform.
The Maâmoura platform is located in approximately 58 metres of water. The neighbouring Baraka concession is also connected to the Tazerka facilities through existing pipelines.
The Maâmoura concession is held by Tende Energy (Barbados) Limited, with a 49% interest, and Tunisia’s state-owned Entreprise Tunisienne d’Activités Pétrolières (ETAP), which holds the remaining 51%.
The ownership arrangement was formalised through a Tunisian government order dated 5 May 2026, approving the transfer of ENI Tunisia B.V.‘s previous interest to Tende Energy (Barbados) Limited.
Technical information published by ATOG had previously indicated that the Abiod sidetrack was planned for the second half of 2026, subject to ETAP approval.
Ocean Oilfield has confirmed the drilling contract but has not disclosed its value, duration or the planned mobilisation date.
The Ocean MVM was formerly known as Noble Resolve and operated by Noble Corporation.
In December 2025, Noble Corporation announced an agreement to sell the jackup to Ocean Oilfield Drilling for $64 million in cash.
Ocean Oilfield subsequently completed the acquisition of Ocean MVM in October 2026. The GustoMSC CJ50-X100 MC jackup arrived at Malta’s Mediterranean Maritime Hub on 13 October, where it was positioned ahead of future drilling assignments.
The Tunisia contract provides a new drilling assignment for the rig following its acquisition from Noble Corporation.
