Maersk Drilling has been picked by Total E&P Norge to supply one of its ultra harsh environment jack-up rigs for work in the North Sea.
Two are currently being build in Singapore. One is now to be used by Total for drilling what were described as “demanding and complex wells” on the Hild field development in the Norwegian North Sea, subject to project approval by the Norwegian authorities.
The contract would be for four years and worth an estimated $550million and includes four one-year options.
It is expected to start by the third quarter of 2014.
“We are very pleased to further strengthen our business relationship with Total which is an important client for Maersk Drilling worldwide,” said Claus Hemmingsen, chief executive of Maersk Drilling.
“This first assignment for one of our newbuilding XL Enhanced jack-up 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.”
To be delivered in 2014, the XL Enhanced design is an enhanced version of the existing ultra harsh environment jack-ups Maersk Innovator and Maersk Inspirer.