JX Nippon Exploration and Production has agreed a deal to use Odfjell Drilling's semisubmersible Deepsea Stavanger to drill an exploration well west of Shetland on the UK Continental Shelf.
Contract duration is estimated to be between 60 and 75 days and expected commencement is Q2 2016.
Deepsea Stavanger finalized its contract with BP in Angola in November 2015 and has thereafter completed its 5 year special periodic survey. The rig is now underway to Norway before mobilizing to UK waters for start up on the JX Nippon contract. "The contract with JX Nippon secures interim utilization of Deepsea Stavanger before start up of the Wintershall drilling contract in 2017. We have a fleet of high performing rigs with a strong track record that gives us confidence in our market position even if the competition is tougher than ever. We look forward to demonstrating our capabilities for JX Nippon and its partners in the UK," says Simen Lieungh, CEO of Odfjell Drilling.
Deepsea Stavanger has a contract with Wintershall on the "Maria" field on the Norwegian Continental Shelf starting early 2017.