An Aberdeen-based well engineering and project management firm, Zenith Energy, has been awarded a six-figure contract to provide well engineering and project management services to a London-based operator.

Zenith Energy, established in 2012, has been awarded a long-term contract by Rockhopper Exploration. The first project under this contract will see Zenith manage the abandonment of a platform well located offshore Italy, utilising Zenith’s HSEQ management system and well delivery process.

As its first offshore project with a drilling rig, the firm plans to utilise its well and abandonment experience taken from a rigless four well abandonment campaign in the central North Sea, the company said in a press release on Monday.

Managing director of Zenith Energy, Martin Booth, said: “Having recently completed the project management of an onshore development well in the UK as well operator, this next project marks another first for Zenith – the managing of an offshore drilling rig operation. This award will also augment the well abandonment experience already contained within our team of expert engineers.”

Operations manager of Rockhopper Exploration, Andy Morrison, said: “We have previously worked with the management team of Zenith Energy and they demonstrated to us that they have the management systems and personnel in place to deliver a high performance team for this important Rockhopper operation.”

Rockhopper is the operator, with 100% interest, of the Ombrina Mare discovery located offshore Italy. Ombrina Mare discovery is an appraisal / development project located off the Abruzzo region in the shallow waters of the Central Adriatic.

In addition, Rockhopper has 20% interest in the Guendalina field, operated by Eni, located in the Northern Adriatic. The field has been on production since October 25, 2011 and since start-up delivered more than 12.5 Bcf gross. Gross production from the field is currently averaging over 6 mmscf/d.