Noble gets $14m from Shell for short-term drillship hire

UK-based energy supermajor Shell has awarded a new contract to one of Noble Corporation’s drillships.

Noble said via social media channels that a one firm well plus one option well deal was awarded to the Noble Viking rig.

The contract, which is a direct continuation of a previous one, is set to start around the fourth quarter of 2025.

The 30-day contract for the 2014-built drillship has an estimated value of $14m, excluding mobilization and demobilization fees. That puts the dayrate at around $460,000.

The drillship is currently hired by Shell on a $442,000 dayrate and is working off Malaysia. It will complete its contract in June 2025 after which it will start work for Prime offshore the Philippines. The deal with Prime is for $499,000 per day and will end in November this year.