Dolphin Drilling has disclosed that it has entered into a new Letter of Award (LOA) with General Hydrocarbon Limited GHL for the Blackford Dolphin Semisubmersible rig in Nigeria as stated in an update on the rig status. Blackford Dolphin signed a Letter of Award is for additional work in Nigeria in direct continuation with the previously announced contract with General Hydrocarbon Limited (GHL) in October 2022.

The LOA has the potential to extend the backlog by a minimum of 120 days and up to 485 days, in addition to the existing GHL backlog. The effective dayrate associated with the minimum firm period of the LOA is USD 325,000, including the mobilization fee.

Following a delayed departure from Mexico and reduced transit speed, Blackford Dolphin arrived in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, and was safely moored quayside on 24 November 2022. At the shipyard in Las Palmas the rig has undergone a Special Periodic Survey (“SPS”) allowing for continuous work until 2028. Blackford Dolphin will remain at the shipyard until early February 2023. The capital cost associated with the SPS is in line with the budget of $15 million. After the SPS, the rig will transit to Port Harcourt in Nigeria and commence its contract with GHL. It was due to start the work in the fourth quarter of 2022, it said. At the time, the driller noted the Nigerian company had the right to reduce the contract by six months.