Shelf Drilling’s Subsidiary Secures Contract with Tenaz Energy for Offshore Operations in the Netherlands

A subsidiary of Shelf Drilling (North Sea) (SDNS) has recently announced the securing of a contract for a jack-up rig with Canada’s Tenaz Energy, a prominent energy company specializing in the acquisition and development of international oil and gas assets. The operations are set to take place offshore the Netherlands, marking a significant milestone for both companies.

Shelf Drilling Winner Jack-Up Rig

The Shelf Drilling Winner jack-up rig has been contracted for a period of one year firm, with the option for Tenaz Energy to extend it to three years within the first six months of operations. The commencement of operations is anticipated for October or November 2025.

Following the completion of its current contract with TotalEnergies in Denmark, scheduled for this month, the Shelf Drilling Winner will be deployed to the Netherlands. Originally slated to remain in Denmark until August 2026, the rig’s early release was announced by TotalEnergies in April.

Built in 2014, the Shelf Drilling Winner is of Friede & Goldman JU-3000N design, boasting a maximum drilling depth of 35,000 feet (approximately 10,668 meters) and accommodation for up to 150 personnel.

Expansion into the Dutch Energy Sector

Greg O’Brien, CEO of Shelf Drilling, expressed his enthusiasm about the contract, stating: “This award marks a significant milestone for Shelf Drilling as we expand our footprint into a new and active segment of the North Sea. We appreciate the opportunity to support their multi-year development program and are fully committed to delivering safe, efficient, and sustainable operations for Tenaz Energy.”

This contract represents Shelf Drilling’s inaugural entry into the Dutch energy sector, which is experiencing a surge in offshore activity due to the government’s renewed emphasis on bolstering domestic gas production.

Tenaz Energy’s Acquisition and Renaming

Tenaz Energy recently became the second-largest operator of natural gas assets in the Dutch North Sea following the acquisition of Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij B.V. (NAM), a former 50/50 joint venture between Shell and ExxonMobil. Post-acquisition, the entity was rebranded as Tenaz Energy Netherlands B.V. (TEN) after the deal concluded on May 1, 2025.

Shelf Drilling’s announcement coincides with the disclosure of two other rig deals earlier today, as the company awaits board approval for the proposed acquisition by ADES, showcasing the company’s continued growth and strategic partnerships in the energy sector.