Dolphin Drilling, the Scotland-headquartered offshore drilling contractor, has confirmed the return of the 1990-built Paul B. Loyd Jr. (PBLJ) semi-submersible rig to operations in the UK North Sea.
The rig, which joined Dolphin’s fleet in 2024 after being acquired from Transocean, recently completed its five-year special periodic survey (SPS) in Ølen, Norway. With the survey finalized, the mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) is set to continue its long-standing work with Harbour Energy.
Prior to the SPS, the PBLJ rig successfully drilled the Brodgar well, delivered two appraisal wells, and a development well, before beginning permanent plug and abandonment (P&A) operations at the Caledonia field. Harbour Energy has booked the rig through February 2028, with an additional five one-year extension options available.
Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, the enhanced Aker H-4.2 design rig entered service in 1990. It is capable of operating in water depths up to 600 meters, making it a key mid-water harsh-environment asset in Dolphin Drilling’s fleet.
This announcement comes as Dolphin Drilling also pursues new opportunities, including a letter of intent for another rig, potentially valued at $58 million, with work expected to commence in the second half of 2026.
