Noble Drilling Corp., Houston, last week disclosed it has purchased a jack up drilling rig and has been notified of the acceptance of its offer to buy a second jack up, both located in the Persian Gulf.
Noble bought the Odin Explorer, a Levingston 111-C, independent leg, cantilevered unit capable of drilling in as much as 300 ft of water. The rig, which the company plans to rename Gus Androes, is presently lying off Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Noble has submitted a tender to an undisclosed operator for a drilling contract to commence in the third quarter for a term of 1 year plus two 1-year options. Noble granted the operator a right of first refusal for use of the rig.
Noble received notification of acceptance of its offer to purchase the Dana, a Marathon LeTourneau 82-C, independent leg, cantilevered rig capable of drilling in 250 ft of water.
The contractor is operating the unit for Qatar General Petroleum Corp. (QGPC) under a management contract at present. Noble is scheduled to take possession of the rig in March, at which time drilling operations will continue prior to rig enhancements scheduled for late in the second quarter.
The Dana will begin a 3 year contract for QGPC upon completion of refurbishments.
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