Noble’s 2014-built jack-up rig scores drilling job in Norwegian waters

August 18, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Noble Corporation, a U.S.-based offshore drilling giant, has secured a new assignment for one of its jack-up rigs on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).

Noble Intrepid jack-up rig; Source: Noble

Noble has been awarded a one-well contract with Orlen Upstream Norge, a subsidiary of Poland’s Orlen, for the Noble Intrepid ultra-harsh environment jack-up rig to drill an exploration well on PL1135 off the coast of Norway.

With an estimated duration of 40-60 days, the assignment is expected to start in the third quarter of 2027. The 2014-built Noble Intrepid Gusto MSC CJ70 X150 MD jack-up rig can accommodate 150 people.

Capable of working in water depths of 492 feet, the rig’s maximum drilling depth is 40,000 feet. The rig was previously booked by BP for work in the UK from April 2026 to September 2027 on a day rate of $150,000.

Noble recently equipped one of its drillships with new equipment and shed light on its expectations of a strengthening offshore drilling market and busier years ahead for the global rig fleet.