Total E&P Norge has issued a Letter of Award to Maersk Drilling for one of two ultra-harsh environment jackups under construction in Singapore.
The rig will be used for development drilling on Total’s Hild field development in the Norwegian North Sea. Drilling should start by summer 2014 following the rig’s arrival from the yard in Singapore.
Although the contract award remains conditional on approval from the Norwegian authorities for the project, the contract would have a firm four-year period, valued at around $550 million, with four one-year options.
“This first assignment for one of our newbuilding XL Enhanced jackup rigs only eight months after we placed the order confirms our strong belief in an increasing demand for modern, high capacity rigs for the Norwegian market,” said Claus V. Hemmingsen, CEO of Maersk Drilling.
Like the existing Maersk ultra harsh environment jackups, Maersk Innovator and Maersk Inspirer, the two new rigs will comply with all rules and regulations in the strictly regulated Norwegian sector.
