en.Wedoany.com Reported - Global offshore drilling activity has recently shown momentum across multiple regions. Noble Corporation, Ventura Offshore, and Oil India have secured new contracts or extensions in Brunei, Indonesia, and the eastern waters of India, respectively. Meanwhile, operations in Norwegian and Namibian waters have also made new progress.

Noble's drillship "Noble Viking" has secured a drilling contract in Brunei waters from an unnamed client. The contract includes six wells with an estimated value of approximately $136.2 million, excluding managed pressure drilling (MPD) and other additional services. Operations are scheduled to begin in early 2028, with a duration of approximately 296 days, expected to keep the rig operational until the fourth quarter of 2028. The contract also includes three priced optional wells.

In Indonesia, Eni's subsidiary Muara Bakau has exercised an option to sign an additional contract with Brazilian drilling contractor Ventura Offshore. The contract involves using the semi-submersible rig "SSV Catarina" to drill a fourth well and surface sections. The client is a subsidiary of Searah, a newly established joint venture between Eni and PETRONAS in the region. The estimated value of this additional project is approximately $25.1 million. Additionally, Eni and Halliburton recently reported the first deployment of a closed-loop rig automation system integrated with managed pressure drilling (MPD) in a deepwater exploration well in Indonesian waters, claiming a drilling efficiency improvement of over 15%.

In the eastern waters of India, Oil India has extended the existing contract for Dolphin Drilling's semi-submersible rig "Blackford Dolphin" until August 28 to complete the remaining drilling, testing, and abandonment operations within the contract scope. The contract, originally set to end in late July, was used for operations at multiple locations in the area.

Northern Ocean's semi-submersible rig "Deepsea Mira" has completed its contract operations for Shell in the southern Orange Basin and is currently preparing to mobilize to Walvis Bay in central Namibia. Shell has decided not to exercise the option for a second well. The rig will undergo planned upgrades to prepare for subsequent operations.

The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Vår Energi permission to drill two exploration wells on the Norwegian continental shelf. The two wells are well 6407/5-3 S in production license 1002 in the Norwegian Sea, and well 36/7-6 S in production license 636 in the North Sea. The approval will further support exploration activities in Norway's two major offshore basins.