Shelf Drilling scoops two jack-up rig contracts

Shelf Drilling, a shallow water offshore drilling contractor, has secured contracts for two of its jack-up drilling rigs in Dubai. 

Shelf’s two drilling rigs, Shelf Drilling Tenacious and the Shelf Drilling Mentor (previously called the West Mischief), have each won a two-year contract with Dubai Petroleum, including two one-year options. The planned startup of operations is January 2018, Shelf said on Monday.

Shelf Drilling bought the West Mischief jack-up, now known as Shelf Drilling Mentor, as well as two other jack-ups, the West Triton and West Resolute, from Seadrill in May. With this acquisition, Shelf Drilling’s total shallow water rig count increased to 40. The rigs were bought for approximately $225 million. Upon delivery, the West Resolute was renamed Shelf Drilling Resourceful and West Triton was renamed Shelf Drilling Tenacious.

David Mullen, Chief Executive Officer, Shelf Drilling, said: “We are extremely pleased with this award for two of our recently acquired premium jack-up rigs. This opportunity further strengthens our market leading position in the Middle East region.

“Both rigs are ideally suited for Dubai Petroleum’s needs, and we are very excited to have secured our maiden contracts with a well-established operator. We see this as an opportunity to have a very long-term relationship with Dubai Petroleum.”

Offshore Energy Today Staff