The long-term drilling contract for the jack-up rig Perro Negro 7 now runs until 2034, after Saipem confirmed that a 12-month suspension in 2024 will be added at the end of the agreement. Operations were paused for one year during 2024, and this stoppage will be recovered by pushing back the contract expiry.

Saipem originally secured the contract for Perro Negro 7 in 2011. The company later agreed a further extension in June 2023, adding 10 years to the term.

Work with Aramco offshore Saudi Arabia using Perro Negro 7 is scheduled to restart in January 2026, the Italian offshore services contractor said.

The jack-up unit Perro Negro 7 can operate in water depths of up to 375 feet and is capable of drilling wells to around 9,100 m. The rig is equipped with systems designed to support safe and efficient drilling while complying with more demanding environmental standards.

In its statement, Saipem said the restart of Perro Negro 7 shows that drilling work in the Middle East is recovering and described the region as one of its key markets.