Chevron Hires ‘Blackford Dolphin’ for North Sea Drilling

Dolphin Drilling Ltd has entered into a contract for a minimum period of 572 days with Chevron North Sea Ltd for work in the UK sector of the North Sea with the semi -submersible Blackford Dolphin.

The contract is expected to start early second quarter 2015 in direct continuation from previously announced contracts with the Blackford Dolphin. The estimated contract value is approximately USD 255 million including certain rig upgrades of approximately USD 11 million. Chevron has an option to extend the contract for a further period of between 300 and 700 days.

The Blackford Dolphin recently arrived in Belfast, Northern Ireland, from Brazil, after a three-month journey. The rig will undergo maintenance and repair works at the Harland & Wolff yard.

The project will include upgrade work and repairs and renewals for its Class Renewal Survey. The project will be completed in H&W’s 556m x 93m Main Building Dock, starting November 2013 for approximately 50 days.

The Aker H-3 propulsion assisted semi-submersible rig underwent a major deep-water upgrade in 2006 to 2008. At that time, Harland and Wolff designed and built the new 130 man accommodation blocks, power generation module, mud room and additional buoyancy for the conversion.

According to Belfast Telegraph, 600 workers have been hired to work on the rig, which will, once the job is completed, move to North Sea where it will begin its next drilling contract with MPX and Capricorn, respectively.

[mappress]
December 19, 2013