Dolphin Drilling gets new rig job in Norway

Offshore drilling contractor Dolphin Drilling has secured a new combined contract with Norwegian oil and gas operator DNO Norge.

Dolphin Drilling said on Monday that the contract will see it support both ends of the well lifecycle.

Namely, according to Dolphin Drilling, the work has been confirmed for one exploration well plus plug and abandonment (P&A) activity on three wells on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).

The initial programme of work will start in 1Q 2021 using the Borgland Dolphin rig for an estimated five months.

The contract also includes an option for further work into 2022.

Bjørnar Iversen, Chief Executive Officer of Dolphin Drilling, said: “We are pleased to work with DNO again, and we are delighted to support an operator who is not only showing responsible well ownership with its P&A activity, but continued support for the energy possibilities in the region with its exploration work.

“While the lower prices continue to put pressure on the oil and gas industry, we are really pleased to be able to continue to support customers with their well requirements no matter the stage of their lifecycle, bringing the efficiencies that come from the very capable rig Borgland Dolphin, and a team of subject matter experts both offshore and onshore”.

This latest contract follows the announcement of another NCS contract with Wellesley Petroleum earlier this year.

Namely, Dolphin Drilling will carry out a programme of North Sea drilling work for oil and gas company Wellesley Petroleum.

The operation will be managed out of the new operation centre at Forus in Stavanger.

The first firm well work with Wellesley was scheduled to start this autumn and the second one in 2021.

There are also two optional wells planned for 2021.

The Borgland Dolphin is a semi-submersible drilling rig built in 1977 by Harland & Wolff. The rig received major upgrades back in 1998/1999.