Offshore drilling firm Seadrill is to buy the owners of the yard construction contract for the new Prospector 3 jack-up rig.
The £146million deal will see the Norwegian deepsea drilling giants take the contract from Prospector Offshore.
Seadrill will also provide drilling tools, spares and preparation for the rig worth another £9million as it looks to increase its foothold in the jack-up market.
“The lack of premium jack-up newbuild activity over the last decade is beginning to be felt and demand is currently exceeding available supply,” Seadrill said in a statement.
“The tightness in the market is leading many customers to contract these units for significantly longer terms than previously experienced for this asset class.
“The board of Seadrill continues to be of opinion that the premium jack-up market provides a compelling investment opportunity.
The rig is due to be delivered from Dalian in the first quarter of next year.
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