Noble’s 2014-built jack-up rig scoops up new P&A job with ConocoPhillips

August 7, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Noble Corporation, a U.S.-based offshore drilling giant, has lined up a new assignment for a 12-year-old jack-up rig off the coast of Norway with ConocoPhillips Skandinavia, a subsidiary of the U.S.-headquartered energy company ConocoPhillips.

Noble Interceptor rig; Source: Noble Corporation

Noble has been awarded a contract by ConocoPhillips Skandinavia for the Noble Interceptor ultra-harsh environment jack-up rig offshore Norway. This deal, which is expected to start in the third quarter of 2027, has an estimated duration of 670 days.

The 2014-built Noble Interceptor jack-up rig is of Gusto MSC CJ70 X150 MD design. With a maximum drilling depth of 40,000 feet, the jack-up is capable of operating in water depths of 492 feet.

Blake Denton, SVP of Marketing & Contracts at Noble, commented: “We appreciate the opportunity to support ConocoPhillips’ operations offshore Norway with the Noble Interceptor. This award reflects an exciting new relationship for us on the shelf, and we look forward to demonstrating the full capabilities of this asset and crew.”

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The rig’s scope of work comprises plug and abandonment (P&A) of wells in the Greater Ekofisk Area (GEA), located around 300 kilometers southwest of Stavanger. This area, which contains the Ekofisk field discovered in 1969, also includes other producing fields, such as Eldfisk, Embla, Tor, and Tommeliten A.

The extensive network of interconnected platforms is centered around the Ekofisk Complex, with oil exported via pipeline to Teesside, UK, and gas piped to Emden, Germany.

ConocoPhillips most recently sanctioned the Previously Produced Fields (PPF) project, a redevelopment initiative, focusing on the late-life Albuskjell, Vest Ekofisk, and Tommeliten Gamma fields.

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The subsea tie-back project is expected to bring new production online by late 2028, boosting European gas security with an estimated 90 to 120 million barrels of oil equivalent in recoverable resources.

The project will be brought to life as a subsea development solution tied back to the Ekofisk Complex using existing infrastructure with 11 new wells from four subsea templates, tied back via a shared pipeline.