Dolphin Drilling’s 52-year-old rig secures longer run in India’s oil & gas exploration game

July 8, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Dolphin Drilling, an Oslo-listed, Aberdeen-headquartered owner and operator of a fleet of harsh-environment mid-water and deepwater semi-submersible drilling rigs, has revealed that one of its units is staying longer at an assignment off the coast of India with Oil India Limited, an exploration and production company.

Blackford Dolphin rig; Source: Dolphin Drilling

Dolphin Drilling has announced that the 1974-built Blackford Dolphin deepwater-capable semi-submersible rig will continue its drilling contract with Oil India Limited, following a new extension that will keep the unit busy until at least August 28, 2026.

This contract extension is said to enable completion of drilling, testing, and abandonment work at locations East of India, under the same terms and scope of work as the existing deal. This unit is of an enhanced Aker H-3 design and can accommodate 120 people.

The rig owner values its ongoing partnership with Oil India Limited and remains committed to delivering safe and efficient operations. The rig embarked on its 14-month hydrocarbon exploration campaign with the Asian player in November 2024.

Last year, the company exercised an option to extend the drilling contract for 120 days, adding to the initial three-well firm campaign, and booked the semi-sub for work through to May 10, 2026.

When May 2026 rolled in, Dolphin Drilling reported that the rig would remain on contract until the end of July 2026 to complete drilling, testing, and abandonment work.

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