en.Wedoany.com Reported - Offshore drilling company Odfjell Drilling has secured a contract extension with Norwegian oil and gas company Aker BP for the 2019-built Deepsea Nordkapp semi-submersible drilling rig, which is operating on the Norwegian continental shelf.

The company has received a letter of confirmation from Aker BP to extend the firm contract period for the rig, previously named Stena Midmax, by one year. As a result, the firm contract backlog for the rig has been extended to the end of 2028, with the Norwegian operator retaining further options thereafter. The operating day rate applicable to the extension period will be determined at the end of 2026, based on a rate reflecting market rates and defined by two independent drilling brokers.

Kjetil Gjersdal, CEO of Odfjell Drilling, stated that this extension demonstrates the continued world-class performance of Deepsea Nordkapp and its crew, and extends the company's semi-alliance commitment with Aker BP. Since its delivery in 2019, Deepsea Nordkapp has been in continuous operation with Aker BP, a relationship that will now last at least until 2028.

In January 2023, Odfjell Drilling was one of three offshore drilling contractors to enter into a drilling and wellhead alliance agreement with Aker BP for NCS drilling activities. The rig's contract was originally expected to be completed by the end of 2024, having previously been extended by two years, with an additional 12 months added last year.

The 2019-built Deepsea Nordkapp is a sixth-generation dynamically positioned harsh environment and winterized semi-submersible rig, based on the Moss Enhanced CS 60E design. The rig owner expanded its fleet last year by completing the acquisition of Deepsea Bollsta, which was renamed Deepsea Bergen.