UK-headquartered energy giant Shell has booked the semi-submersible rig Deepsea Mira, owned by Northern Ocean and managed by Odfjell Drilling, for drilling activities off the coast of Namibia in partnership with QatarEnergy and NAMCOR.
The rig is expected to begin drilling operations in Petroleum Exploration Licence 39 offshore Namibia in April 2026. The contract covers one firm well and includes one optional well, with an estimated duration of 45 days for the firm well. The deal has a projected firm backlog of approximately 16 million dollars, increasing Northern Ocean’s firm backlog to around 387 million dollars.
The Odfjell Drilling-managed Deepsea Mira rig is a sixth-generation enhanced and extended CS 60 E harsh environment design semi-submersible delivered by Hyundai Heavy for work in water depths of up to 3,000 meters. The rig has a history of working in Namibia, including assignments with TotalEnergies and Rhino Resources, which recently extended the unit’s job.
Shell emphasizes its commitment to unlocking Namibia’s offshore potential through the campaign, which will focus on operational excellence, safety, environmental performance, and fostering opportunities for local participation. Local suppliers interested in potential subcontracting opportunities related to the rig’s operations are encouraged to contact Northern Ocean Ltd.
Sources: offshore-energy.biz, energy-pedia.com, namibiaoilandgas.com