PHOTO: Jack-up Maersk Giant arrives at Port of Esbjerg after ending Dong contract

Maersk Drilling’s jack-up drilling rig Maersk Giant has arrived at the Port of Esbjerg in Denmark after completing work for Dong Energy on the Siri oilfield, offshore Denmark.

On Thursday, November 10 the port shared a photo through its social media channels showing the rig being towed to its position alongside sister jack-up drilling rig Maersk Resolute, stationed at Doggerkaj in the Port of Esbjerg.

To remind, Maersk Drilling was awarded a contract for the Mærsk Giant by Dong Energy for work on the Nini and Siri fields in the Danish part of the North Sea back in August 2015 for an estimated contract value of $6 million.

According to Maersk Drilling, the rig started working for Dong in November 2015 after completing repairs to a damaged spudcan. The rig was under contract with Dong until November of this year and will be available for new work from December 2016. As for Dong, the company earlier this week said it would be exiting the oil and gas business to focus on the renewable sector.

On the offshore drilling market, in the recent 3Q financial report, Claus V. Hemmingsen, CEO of Maersk Drilling said that the offshore drilling industry remains a challenging marketplace which would affect the company going forward.

He added that as current rig contracts expire, new and lower day rates would be accepted or rigs would become idle. Due to low oil prices and deteriorating market conditions, such a scenario might be on the cards for rigs like the Maersk Giant which will now be marketed for new contracts.

The Maersk Giant is one of the ultra-harsh environment jack-ups in Maersk Drilling’s fleet. The rig is equipped for high pressure/high temperature (HPHT) drilling and is designed for year-round operation in the North Sea. It was built in 1986 and can work in 107 meters (350 ft) of water and drilling to a maximum depth of 7,620 meters (25,000 ft).

Offshore Energy Today Staff