EuropeOffshore

Maersk Drilling semi-submersible awarded three-year drilling contract off Australia

Maersk Drilling has been awarded a long-term contract by Inpex Australia for 2010-built semi-submersible Maersk Deliverer.

The three-year contract, with Inpex and joint venture participants, is for drilling at the Ichthys gas and condensate field offshore Western Australia. Commencement is scheduled for the second quarter of 2020 and the deal includes two one-year options.

Jørn Madsen, CEO of Maersk Drilling, commented: “We are very pleased to have secured long-term work for Mærsk Deliverer adding significantly to our contract backlog in the floater segment. Inpex-operated Ichthys LNG Project is one of Australia’s largest resources projects and we look forward to supporting a successful operation for Inpex and joint venture participants.

“With this contract award we retain a well-balanced forward coverage in the floater market with long-term contracts while maintaining exposure to a market recovery.”

Maersk Drilling estimates the contract value at around $300m including mobilisation. The rig is currently operating offshore Timor-Leste.

Grant Rowles

Grant spent nine years at Informa Group based in London, Sydney, Hong Kong and Singapore. He gained strong management experience in publishing, conferences and awards schemes in the shipping and legal areas, working on a number of titles including Lloyd's List. In 2009 Grant joined Seatrade responsible for the commercial development of Seatrade’s Asia products. In 2012, with Sam Chambers, he co-founded Asia Shipping Media.
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