Maersk Drilling has signed a contract with Premier Oil Norge AS for the jack-up Maersk Guardian for a one well drilling operation, the Myrhauk exploration well, in the Norwegian North Sea. The duration of the contract is approximately 62 days. The contract will commence in direct continuation of the present Lundin Norway AS contract during Q3 2014.
“Norway is a focus area for Maersk Drilling, which is also why we are very pleased that Premier Oil Norge has chosen us for the Myrhauk exploration well. This is the first time, we enter into an agreement with Premier Oil in Norway, and we look forward to a hopefully long and valuable relationship,” says Claus V. Hemmingsen, CEO of Maersk Drilling and member of the Executive Board of the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group.
Maersk Drilling is the market leader in the Norwegian jack-up market currently owning and operating six of the nine jack-up rigs present in the region.
“Significant resources remain in Norway, and we see oil and gas companies increasing their business activity in the Norwegian market. There is a continued strong growth potential in the market and we will continue to evaluate the opportunities for additional growth,” says Claus V. Hemmingsen, CEO of Maersk Drilling.
Maersk Drilling has four XL Enhanced (CJ-70) jack-ups under construction that will enter the Norwegian market between 2014 and 2016 thereby increasing Maersk Drilling’s presence in Norway. The four rigs have all secured long term contracts. The XL Enhanced rigs are designed to operate in the harsh environment found in the North Sea and comply with all rules and regulations in the strictly regulated Norwegian sector.