Offshore drilling contractor Maersk Drilling has let go 70 employees in Norway in relation to the company’s jack-up rig Maersk Reacher.
In an e-mail to Offshore Energy Today, Maersk Drilling spokesperson confirmed that the 2009-built jack-up drilling rig Maersk Reacher is currently working, but the rig’s contract with BP is expiring in September 2016.
In September 2011, Maersk Reacher was upgraded to comply with relevant requirements in Norwegian shelf regulation and received an Acknowledgement of Compliance enabling it to start a three-year firm contract with BP Norway.
After that contract expired, BP extended the rig’s contract for two more years, until September 2016. The estimated value of the two-year extension was $222 million.
According to Maersk Ansattes Forening (MAF), an association of employees in Maersk Drilling Norway, the main reasons for dismissals are that Maersk Inspirer starts plugging and abandonment at Volve field for Statoil during summer of 2016; Maersk Reacher is expected to complete the current contract with BP Norway in September; competence group will be adjusted according to a lower level of activity; and minor adjustments to the organizational set-up and return of personnel from temporary foreign assignment.
Previously, in February 2016, the offshore driller axed 80 jobs after the company stacked its 2009-built semi-submersible Maersk Developer following completion of a six-year contract with Statoil.
Also, back in 2015, Maersk Drilling had to downsize after two of its rigs , Maersk Giant and Maersk Guardian, were left without a contract.
Offshore Energy Today Staff