Offshore

Dolphin Drilling Secures $150 million Rig Extension

Dolphin Drilling has finalized a long-term contract with Harbour Energy for Paul B Loyd Jr in the UK North Sea, adding about $150 million to its backlog.

Paul B. Loyd JR semi-submersible rig (Source: Dolphin Drilling)

12, May 2026
115 Views

Dolphin Drilling has finalized a long-term contract with Harbour Energy for the semisubmersible drilling rig Paul B Loyd Jr in the UK North Sea.

The agreement will start immediately after the rig’s current firm period ends. It also confirms the letter of intent announced in April.

The new firm term runs until 30 August 2030 and adds about $150 million to the contract backlog of Dolphin Drilling.

The contract also gives Harbour Energy options to extend the rig’s work for up to five additional years.

The agreement keeps Paul B Loyd Jr active without idle time and extends its work in a North Sea market where demand for harsh-environment semisubmersible rigs has remained relatively firm.

Dolphin Drilling also confirmed continued work for Blackford Dolphin with Oil India Limited. The deepwater-capable semisubmersible is now expected to remain on contract until the end of July 2026 for drilling, testing and abandonment work east of India.

Chief executive Michael Boyd said Dolphin Drilling holds $362 million in firm contract backlog. A further $849 million is linked to letters of intent and options previously disclosed in April.

Tags: Dolphin Drilling, Harbour Energy, North Sea, offshore drilling, Oil India Limited, Semisubmersible rig

Editorial Note:
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools to enhance clarity and efficiency.
All information has been reviewed and verified by the HMT News editor.

4, Jun
|

Offshore

Velesto Secures Jackup Rig Assignment for Thailand Offshore Drilling Campaign

Velesto Sumber has secured a contract from Northern Gulf Petroleum to provide the Naga 6 jackup rig and drilling services for a seven-well campaign in the Gulf of Thailand, strengthening Velesto’s offshore drilling portfolio in Southeast Asia.

4, Jun
|

Offshore

Odfjell Drilling’s Deepsea Nordkapp Cleared for Aker BP North Sea Exploration Well

Aker BP has received Norwegian approval to drill the Freke Nord exploration well in North Sea block 15/6 using Odfjell Drilling’s Deepsea Nordkapp rig.

3, Jun
|

Offshore

Bilfinger Offshore Workers to Strike at Ithaca North Sea Assets

Around 20 Bilfinger offshore workers are set to begin an eight-day strike at Ithaca Energy’s Alba FSU and FPF-1 facilities over a retention bonus dispute.