Maersk Drilling to cut workforce as rigs in Norway go out of contract

Danish offshore drilling contractor Maersk Drilling is going to downsize its workforce in Norway as two of its rigs are going out of contract later this year.

The rigs in question are the two jack-up units, Maersk Giant and Maersk Guardian. According to a Maersk Drilling spokesperson, the rigs will go off contract in the fall, Mærsk Giant in the third quarter and Maersk Guardian in the fourth.

In an e-mail sent to Offshore Energy Today, the company’s spokesperson said: “With no prospects for new employment in Norway in the near future, Maersk Drilling in Norway has initiated a downsizing process. The total number of layoffs is expected to be approximately 180—190 full time employees.”

“The decision to commence this downsizing process is based on the current rig employment situation. Therefore, we have conducted discussion meetings with Maersk Ansattes Forening (MAF) to talk over the extent of the expected downsizing, selection criteria, and possible mitigating measures to reduce the undesirable aspects in this context.”

Offshore Energy Today staff