Oslo-listed offshore drilling contractor Shelf Drilling has taken delivery of the Deep Driller 7 jack-up drilling rig.
Shelf Drilling bought the rig from the Indian offshore drilling firm Aban Offshore. The deal was first announced in mid-June.
Shelf Drilling then said it would buy the 2008-built jack-up rig for $30 million. The rig is of Baker Marine Pacific Class 375 design.
"The company is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary has completed the purchase and acceptance of the premium high-spec jack-up rig. The rig has been renamed Shelf Drilling Victory," Shelf Drilling said Wednesday.
Shelf Drilling, whose fleet consists solely of jack-up drilling rigs, is expected to grow its fleet some more, as the company recently agreed to buy five jack-up rigs from Noble Corp.
Namely, Noble Corp. had to find a buyer for some of its North Sea units to alleviate concerns raised by the UK Competition and Markets Authority in relation to its proposed merger with Maersk Drilling. The rigs being sold to Shelf Drilling are Noble Hans Deul, Noble Sam Hartley, Noble Sam Turner, Noble Houston Colbert, and Noble Lloyd Noble. Relevant offshore and onshore staff are expected to transfer with the rigs.
