Fossil Energy – Contract Extension
Norway-based Deep Value Driller has won an extension of the bareboat charter for a seventh-generation drillship of the same name from Italian offshore engineering and construction giant Saipem.
Saipem has extended the charter of the 2014-built drillship Deep Value Driller, formerly known as Bolette Dolphin, for a firm period of 31 days until July 31, 2026.
The two companies also agreed to an extension on the purchase option for the rig until February 16, 2026.
The purchase price is set at $300m, plus payment of the remaining hire for the charter.
Saipem also has the option to further extend the charter by a further 365 days from August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027. This option must be exercised by February 16, 2026.
If this one-year extension is exercised, Saipem’s right to purchase the drillship will also be extended until December 31, 2026.
The drillship won the deal for Saipem in February 2023 and started work that summer. The original deal was for three years with options to extend.
