Archer staying on North Sea platform drilling and maintenance duty for three more years

December 19, 2025, by Melisa Cavcic

Norway’s oil and gas player Aker BP has prolonged an assignment Oslo Stock Exchange-listed oil services company Archer is carrying out in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.

While revealing a formal notice from Aker BP of the exercise of the three-year extension option under the long-term contract originally awarded in November 2020, Archer explains that this will allow it to continue providing platform drilling operations and maintenance services on the Ula and Valhall installations in the North Sea off the coast of Norway.

The exercised extension will begin upon expiry of the initial five-year term, ensuring continuity of operations and extending the contract through December 31, 2028. As a result, the Oslo-listed firm will continue to deliver platform drilling operations, maintenance services and intervention support, including integrated engineering, rental equipment and well services where required, as part of its #OneArcher service offering.

Dag Skindlo, CEO of Archer, commented: “The exercise of this extension option reflects Aker BP’s continued confidence in Archer’s people, systems and ability to deliver safe, efficient and reliable operations on the Ula and Valhall assets.

“Our long-standing relationship with Aker BP spans more than three decades, and we are proud to further build on this legacy. I would like to thank our offshore and onshore teams for their consistent performance and commitment, which have been instrumental in securing this extension.”

This extension comes months after Archer won a contract with Repsol Resources UK for late-life and plug and abandonment (P&A) services across the latter’s platform portfolio.