Shelf Drilling Wins First Contract in Dutch North Sea

Dubai-based jackup rig operator Shelf Drilling has secured its first contract in the Dutch North Sea, landing a deal with Tenaz Energy for a one-year firm term, with an option to extend to three years.

The Oslo-listed company, set to be acquired by Saudi oil and gas driller ADES for $380m, said the contract for the 2014-built Shelf Drilling Winner was awarded through its North Sea subsidiary and is scheduled to begin in October or November 2025, shortly after the rig completes its current job in Denmark.

The deal marks Shelf Drilling’s entry into the Netherlands at a time when the country is ramping up offshore gas production.

“This award marks a significant milestone for Shelf Drilling as we expand our footprint into a new and active segment of the North Sea,” said Greg O’Brien, chief executive of Shelf Drilling.

Tenaz Energy recently became a major player in the region following its acquisition of Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij (NAM), the former Shell-ExxonMobil joint venture.