Fossil Energy – Decommissioning
Offshore drilling contractor Dolphin Drilling has mobilized its semi-submersible rig, the Paul B. Loyd Jr., to the Caledonia field in the UK sector of the North Sea in preparation for upcoming permanent plug and abandonment (P&A) operations.
The Paul B. Loyd Jr., originally built in 1990, recently completed a campaign at Harbour Energy’s Brodgar well, which included two appraisal wells, a development well, and a well completion, achieving an impressive 98% rig uptime related to operations.
Now moored at Caledonia, the rig begins its next assignment under a long-term contract with Harbour Energy, which secures the rig’s availability through February 2028.
Designed for mid-water, harsh-environment conditions, the Paul B. Loyd Jr. is capable of operating in water depths of up to 600 meters. Since joining Dolphin Drilling’s fleet in 2024, the rig has continued to demonstrate its reliability and performance in both the UK and Norwegian sectors of the North Sea.
The rig features an enhanced Aker H-4.2 design, offering improved stability in challenging sea states and advanced subsea handling capabilities, making it well-suited for complex offshore operations.
