we still drill in september - firb or no firb, page-4

Why do you think spud date will be in Sept when the latest update from MEO on 14-04-2010 was an option over a rig for late 2010.

Previously we discussed on this forum 3 likely rigs that might be used to drill Artemis, Songa Venus, Nan Hai V1 and Ocean Epoch.

According to Maersk Newsletter 02-05-2010,
"On 27 April the contract for our management rig, Nan Hai VI,was extended with 10 months plus an option for an additional 6
months. The new contract will commence on 1 September 2010
and the rig will continue to work for Woodside offshore Australia.""

That rules out Nan Hai V1

Songa Venus is drilling for Shell and will be handed over to Total after that, not avail again until Aug 2011.

Ocean Epoch is drilling for BHPB until late November.
That might be a possible option for MEO to spud in Artemis in December .

If you have research/rig status info that points to an earlier spud I'm all ears.