Shelf Drilling Extends Contract for Key Manhattan Rig
United Arab Emirates-based jackup rig pure-play Shelf Drilling has secured a one-year extension for one of its rigs, the Key Manhattan. The extension was awarded by Italian energy giant Eni and will see the rig continue its operations in direct continuation of its current contract.
The total added contract value for the extension is approximately $29 million, and the rig is now committed to Eni until November 2026, with one year of additional options included in the agreement.
The Key Manhattan, which was built in 1980, has been operating for Eni off the coast of Italy since November 2023. The rig is scheduled to cease operations in August and will be out of service until September when it will resume work for the Italian firm.
This contract extension is part of a series of recent successes for Shelf Drilling, as the company has secured three new deals for its rigs in the past week. These include a five-year contract extension with Saudi Aramco for the High Island V unit and a three-year contract with India’s ONGC for the J.T. Angel rig.
Shelf Drilling continues to strengthen its position in the offshore drilling market with these recent contract wins, showcasing its ability to provide reliable and efficient drilling services to major energy companies around the world.

