Semisub Rig Owner Dolphin Drilling Wins Court Battle with Nigerian Oil Company

Semisub rig owner Dolphin Drilling has emerged victorious in a prolonged court dispute with Nigerian oil company General Hydrocarbons Limited over a contract termination.

The disagreement between the two companies began in April this year when Dolphin Drilling terminated a contract for the Blackford Dolphin rig with the Nigerian company due to missed payments.

The Nigerian company took legal action against the Norwegian firm in an attempt to compel Dolphin Drilling to fulfill the terms of the terminated contract. Technova Africa also became involved and obtained an ex parte order of arrest against the rig, which was subsequently lifted in mid-June.

In July, Dolphin Drilling submitted a bank guarantee of $20 million, allowing the company to remove the 1974-built rig from Nigerian waters.

By October, the rig had arrived in Indian waters and commenced its $154 million long-term drilling contract with Oil India in November. Originally scheduled to begin operations in the second quarter of 2024, the start was delayed due to the court case.

Dolphin Drilling expressed satisfaction with the court ruling against the Nigerian oil firm, describing it as a ‘positive outcome.’ The company also disclosed that the court had awarded certain subsidiary entities approximately $100 million, which it intends to collect promptly.