Additional work in Nigeria extends Dolphin Drilling rig’s backlog

Offshore drilling contractor Dolphin Drilling has received a new letter of award (LOA) for a semi-submersible rig, which will prolong the rig’s assignment offshore Nigeria.

Following a letter of award (LoA) for the Blackford Dolphin semi-sub rig from September 2022 for operations in Nigeria, Dolphin Drilling announced the formal 12-month contract award in October 2022. At the time, the firm explained that the total contract value was approximately $96 million.

In an update on Monday, the offshore drilling contractor disclosed that a letter of award was inked for Blackford Dolphin’s additional work in Nigeria in direct continuation with the previously announced contract with GHL with the potential to extend the backlog by a minimum of 120 days and up to 485 days, in addition to the existing GHL backlog. The firm highlights that the effective day rate associated with the minimum firm period of the LOA is $325,000, including the mobilisation fee.

Following a delayed departure from Mexico and reduced transit speed, the Blackford Dolphin rig arrived in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, and was moored quayside on 24 November 2022. Dolphin Drilling underlines that the rig has undergone a special periodic survey (SPS) at the shipyard in Las Palmas, allowing for continuous work until 2028.

According to the firm, the rig will remain at the shipyard until early February 2023 and the capital cost associated with the SPS is in line with the budget of $15 million. After the SPS, the rig will transit to Port Hardcourt in Nigeria and start its contract with GHL, says Dolphin Drilling.

The 1974-built Blackford Dolphin is a semi-submersible drilling rig of an Enhanced Aker H-3 design. It can accommodate 120 people.