Blackford Dolphin wins North Sea contracts

Dolphin Drilling has secured two contracts that will take its Blackford Dolphin semi into the North Sea market. The first contract with MPX North Sea will be in the UK sector of the North Sea while the second contract with Capricorn Energy will take place offshore Ireland. Both contracts are for one well each and are expected to last a total of approximately five months.

“We are encouraged by an apparent high level of forward demand in what we consider as being our domestic home market. The region now offers an excellent combination of stable and predictable working environment that can deliver competitive commercial returns when compared with many other regions internationally,” Dolphin Drilling managing director Graeme Murray said.

The high-specification deepwater drilling rig, a rebuild investment of approximately $550 million, can drill in up to 7,000 ft of water and drill wells to 30,000 ft. It will commence the first well in Q1 2014 following mobilization from Brazil, where it has been operating for most of the past three years, and completion of its five-year class survey. The combined estimated total contract value of both agreements is approximately US $67 million.

Dolphin Drilling expects to further its expansion later this year when the Bolette Dolphin newbuild drillship enters service. In 2015, the Bollsta Dolphin deepwater, harsh-environment semi will be delivered for a long-term contract on Chevron’s Rosebank field West of Shetland.