Dolphin Drilling hit with legal action over rig termination deal

Offshore drilling contractor Dolphin Drilling is now facing legal action after ending a contract in Nigeria for a semi-submersible rig with Peak Petroleum Industries Nigeria Limited (Peak Petroleum).

Originally, Dolphin Drilling signed a contract for the Blackford Dolphin semi-submersible rig with Peak Petroleum Industries Nigeria Limited in March 2023 for operations off Nigeria with an effective day rate associated with the minimum firm contract period of $325,000, including the mobilization fee.

However, the offshore drilling player announced the termination of the contract at the start of December 2023 while explaining that it took the step to break off the deal due to a continued breach of the contract by Peak Petroleum.

According to Dolphin Drilling, a formal notice of legal action has now been received from Peak Petroleum, disputing the termination of the contract. The company highlights that it disputes this position and intends to take “appropriate measures” together with its legal advisors.

The 1974-built Blackford Dolphin is a semi-submersible drilling rig of an Enhanced Aker H-3 design and can accommodate 120 people. This rig has been operating for General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL) throughout the quarter and achieved 98.3% operational performance.

Recently, Dolphin Drilling secured a long-term contract for the Borgland Dolphin semi-submersible rig in the UK with EnQuest.