Noble Corporation announced the award of a new contract for its drilling vessel Noble Viking, which will support an offshore drilling campaign in the Asia Pacific region. The agreement includes a firm program of six wells with an estimated value of USD 136.2 million, excluding Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) services and other additional provisions.
Operations will commence in early 2028 and extend for approximately 296 days, keeping the unit contracted through the fourth quarter of the same year. The contract also incorporates the option to execute three additional wells under previously established conditions, offering flexibility to expand the drilling program according to the operator’s needs.
Asia: Driving New Investments
The award confirms the continued demand for sixth- and seventh-generation drilling units in high-complexity offshore projects, particularly in Asia Pacific, a region where deepwater exploration continues to drive new investments to secure energy supply and develop offshore resources.
From a technical perspective, this type of contract represents much more than the contracting of a platform. An offshore drilling campaign mobilizes a complex supply chain integrated by dynamic positioning systems, maritime logistics, specialized downhole services, subsea operations, managed pressure drilling, and multidisciplinary teams capable of executing continuous programs under strict safety and operational efficiency standards.
The Noble Viking will remain available to complete six firm wells and up to three additional ones, providing operational continuity and optimizing the utilization of one of the most costly assets within the offshore industry. This planning reduces non-productive time between campaigns and improves economic efficiency for both the operator and the drilling contractor.
Noble Corporation in the Offshore Market
“We are grateful for the opportunity to support this upcoming drilling campaign in the Asia Pacific region,” stated Blake Denton, Senior Vice President of Contracts and Marketing at Noble. The executive also highlighted the operational performance of the Noble Viking team, whose track record contributed to the award of the new contract.
The new campaign strengthens Noble Corporation’s presence in the Asia Pacific offshore market and reflects the continuity of investments in deepwater hydrocarbon exploration and development, where the availability of highly specialized platforms remains a determining factor in meeting drilling schedules and developing new fields.
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