Oil India keeps Dolphin Drilling’s rig on offshore assignment through October

August 20, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Dolphin Drilling, an Oslo-listed, Aberdeen-headquartered owner and operator of a fleet of harsh-environment mid-water and deepwater semi-submersible drilling rigs, has secured an extension of a drilling job, which one of its units is carrying out off the coast of India for Oil India Limited (OIL), an exploration and production company.

Blackford Dolphin rig; Source: Dolphin Drilling

Dolphin Drilling has disclosed that the Blackford Dolphin deepwater-capable semi-submersible rig will continue its drilling contract with Oil India up to October 15, 2026.

This contract extension will enable completion of drilling, testing, and abandonment work at locations East of India, under the same terms and scope of work as the existing contract.

The 1974-built rig started its 14-month hydrocarbon exploration campaign with the Asian player in November 2024. The company exercised an option to extend the drilling contract for 120 days last year.

Following the extension of the initial three-well firm campaign, Dolphin Drilling reported in May 2026 that the rig would remain on contract until the end of July 2026.

The last extension for the Blackford Dolphin rig was granted in July 2026, enabling the rig’s stay with Oil India until at least August 28, 2026. This unit is of an enhanced Aker H-3 design and can accommodate 120 people.

“Dolphin Drilling values its ongoing partnership with Oil India Limited and remains committed to delivering safe and efficient operations,” the rig owner emphasized.