Maersk Drilling has secured a contract from Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) for the drillship Maersk Viking to drill one exploration well in Block 6-1 offshore the Republic of Korea. The contract is expected to commence in June 2021, in direct continuation of the rig’s previous work scope, with an estimated duration of 45 days. The contract value is approximately USD 14.5m, including mobilisation and demobilisation fees.

“We’re pleased to be awarded this contract with a new customer in the form of KNOC for their first-ever drillship operation and are confident in our ability to quickly start up operations in Korean jurisdiction after Maersk Viking moves on from its previous job. The rig and its crew have shown an impressive ability to always deliver safe and efficient operations, even during this challenging period marked by a global pandemic,” says COO Morten Kelstrup of Maersk Drilling.

Maersk Viking is a high-spec ultra-deepwater drillship which was delivered in 2013. It is currently mobilising for a campaign in Brunei Darussalam after completing a job in the Bay of Bengal in 2020.