We are thrilled to announce that Dolphin Drilling’s deepwater-capable semisubmersible rig, Blackford Dolphin, has officially commenced its long-term exploration drilling contract with Oil India Limited. After a 101-day journey that included key port calls, the Blackford Dolphin arrived in Indian waters in October, completing customs clearance and client acceptance shortly thereafter.
CEO Bjørnar Iversen expressed the company’s commitment to India’s ambitious energy goals, noting that Dolphin Drilling’s experience in the region, enhanced by its partnership with Dynamic Drilling, aligns with India’s strategy to increase domestic hydrocarbon production.
“Blackford Dolphin has once again returned to India to commence a long-term drilling campaign, and our ambition is that the rig will stay in the region for the long term, not only due to the contract’s option period but also in line with India’s ambitious energy goals. This aligns well with India's rapidly growing energy needs as the country aims to significantly increase its domestic production of hydrocarbons, reducing its dependency on imported energy and enhancing its energy security”, Iversen added.
The integration of the Indian crew marks another exciting step forward. Their onboarding journey began with an introductory workshop in Port Louis, Mauritius, where they were introduced to Dolphin Drilling’s values, core operational principles, and safety management practices. Hosted by members of the Dolphin Drilling leadership team, the workshop highlighted the importance of a “safe and efficient” operational culture, covering essential safety protocols like the Life-Saving Rules, Safety Observation System and understanding Dolphin Drilling’s Management Systems and Rig Operations.
The crew actively engaged in sessions that helped shape the rig’s safety culture, sharing their input with the management team. A subsequent induction in Mumbai welcomed the additional back-to-back crew members covering the same material.
As Blackford Dolphin embarks on this project near the Andaman Islands, we thank our onshore and offshore teams for their dedicated efforts in preparing the rig for this significant endeavour. With thorough preparation, mutual collaboration, and a shared commitment to safety, we are confident that this campaign will be a resounding success for Dolphin Drilling, Oil India Limited, and the entire crew.
