Maersk Drilling swings jobs axe after drillship contract loss

Offshore drilling contractor Maersk Drilling has decided to cut jobs following a recent, early contract termination for its 2014-built drillship. 

According to Reuters, the company will cut 122 jobs due to the contract termination for the drillship Maersk Valiant.

To remind, the offshore driller recently got the termination for the drillship from ConocoPhillips and Marathon Oil with effect from mid-September 2016.

The rig was under a joint contract with the duo in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico since June 2014. The original contract was scheduled to end in September 2017. The rig is designed for year-round operation in areas such as the Gulf of Mexico, West and East Africa and Asia Pacific at water depths of up to 3,600 m (12,000 ft.).

Offshore Energy Today reached out to Maersk Drilling seeking confirmation of these reports. The company’s spokesperson confirmed that Maersk Drilling USA will have to lay off 122 people due to the early contract termination of the Maersk Valiant.

Earlier in July Maersk Drilling said it would cut up to 140 jobs due to two other rigs going off contract.

Offshore Energy Today Staff