Drilling News


Norwegian Sea Delivers Fresh Oil and Gas Discovery

Dec 22, 2025

Equinor and its partners have made a new oil and gas/condensate discovery near the Tyrihans field in the Norwegian Sea.The discovery, made via the exploration well 6407/1-B-2 H, lies in the Tyrihans Øst prospect, about 250 kilometers southwest of Brønnøysund…

Shell, INEOS Energy Strike Oil in Deepwater Gulf of America Well

Dec 22, 2025

Shell and INEOS Energy have confirmed an oil discovery in the Norphlet formation in the Gulf of America that could be tied back to the Appomattox production platform.The Nashville exploration well, operated by Shell with a 79% working interest…

Archer to Remain North Sea Drilling and Maintenance Duty for Aker BP

Dec 19, 2025

Aker BP has exercised the three-year extension option under the long-term contract with Archer for the provision of platform drilling operations and maintenance services in the North Sea.The long-term contract was originally awarded in November…

Equinor Books Odfjell Drilling’s Deepsea Aberdeen Semi-Sub Rig

Dec 19, 2025

Offshore drilling contractor Odfjell Drilling has signed a contract with Equinor for its Deepsea Aberdeen semi-submersible drilling rig, following the letter of intent the companies agreed in November.Equinor will use Deepsea Aberdeen rig to…

Harbour Energy Finds Oil and Gas in North Sea

Dec 19, 2025

Harbour Energy and its partner Petoro have proven gas condensate in the Camilla Nord prospect in the North Sea.The wildcat wells 35/8-8 S and A were drilled in production licenses 248 LS and 248 B, which are part of the Vega Unit in the North Sea…

Aker BP Extends Scarabeo 8 Drilling Contract off Norway

Dec 18, 2025

Saipem announced that Aker BP has exercised a new option to extend the contract for the semi-submersible drilling unit Scarabeo 8, prolonging its deployment for an additional year.This is the third extension of the contract originally awarded in March 2022…

New Chief Takes Reins at Dolphin Drilling

Dec 18, 2025

Offshore drilling contractor Dolphin Drilling has appointed new chief executive officer (CEO) following the resignation of Jon Oliver Bryce.Dolphin Drilling’s board of directors has appointed Michael Boyd, currently the company’s Chief Commercial Officer…

Shell Greenlights Waterflood Project to Bolster Production in Gulf of America

Dec 16, 2025

Shell Offshore, a subsidiary of Shell, has taken a final investment decision (FID) on a waterflood project at its Kaikias field in the Gulf of America, aiming to boost its recoverable resources.Water will be injected to displace additional oil…

Velesto Agrees $63M Jack-Up Drilling Rig Sale with Indonesian Firm

Dec 16, 2025

Velesto has entered into a sale and purchase agreement with PT Indonesia Drilling Energy for the sale of its jack-up drilling rig, NAGA 3, for a total cash consideration of $63 million.The divestment of NAGA 3, built in 2010, is in line with the group's ongoing fleet optimization…

Seadrill Awarded Contract in the U.S. Gulf and Angola

Dec 15, 2025

Seadrill Limited has been awarded contracts for the West Neptune, Sevan Louisiana, and Sonangol Quenguela.In the U.S. Gulf, the West Neptune was awarded a contract with LLOG Exploration. The four-month program is expected to commence in direct continuation to the current contract…

Deepsea Bollsta Rig Gets New Name as Odfjell Drilling Takes Ownership

Dec 15, 2025

Odfjell Drilling has completed the acquisition of the harsh-environment drilling rig Deepsea Bollsta, including the novation of the rig’s drilling contract with Equinor for a firm period running until early 2028 and with five one-year extension options…

BW Energy Inks Long-Term Lease for Maromba Drilling Platform

Dec 15, 2025

BW Energy has signed a long-term lease agreement for the Maromba drilling and wellhead platform, converting a short-term lease for the Super Gorilla class jack-up rig BW MAROMBA B into a project lease with Minsheng Financial Leasing (MSFL).The…

Shell Picks Valaris Drillship for Work Offshore Brazil

Dec 12, 2025

Offshore drilling contractor Valaris has secured a multi-year contract with Shell for its VALARIS DS-8 drillship, which will be put to work offshore Brazil.The contract is expected to start in the first quarter of 2027, with an estimated duration of approximately 800 days…

Deepsea Mira Semi-Sub Up for Shell’s Drilling Job off Namibia

Dec 12, 2025

Shell has booked Northern Ocean’s Deepsea Mira semi-submersible rig for a drilling campaign offshore Namibia.The Odfjell Drilling-managed rig has been scheduled to start operations in Namibia in April 2026.The contract covers one firm well and includes one optional well…

Shell to Launch Drilling Campaign Offshore Namibia

Dec 11, 2025

Shell is preparing to launch a new drilling campaign in the PEL 39 exploration block offshore Namibia from April 2026 with its partners QatarEnergy and Namibia's national oil company Namcor.Shell's Namibia country chair Eduardo Rodriguez said…

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