GDI signs $34 million boat deal with Dolphin Energy

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

DOHA

GULF Drilling International Limited (GDI) announced the signing of a contract valued at an estimated $34 million to provide Lift Boat Services to Dolphin Energy Limited over a sixteen month period.

The self-propelled jack-up unit will provide accommodation, maintenance and platform support to Dolphin’s DOL 1 and DOL 2 platforms. The vessel is scheduled to start operations in January of 2013 and will continue under the primary term of the contract through April of 2014. Dolphin has the option to extend the term of this contract up to eight more months.

The contract was signed by Dolphin Energy’s General Manager Adel Albuainain and Gulf Drilling International Chief Executive Officer Ibrahim J al Othman in Doha on Monday.

After pursuing this complimentary line of business for several years, GDI has secured its first Lift Boat contract. The Lift Boat sector in Qatar is still in its infancy but the demand for these specialised services is expected to grow as the benefits derived from their usage become more widespread.

GDI aims to be the premier provider of Lift Boat services in Qatar. The Dolphin contract is viewed as a significant milestone for GDI and a stepping stone for future Lift Boat business.

GDI is looking for opportunities to source additional Lift Boat vessels to meet the growing demand.

Albuainain said, “We would like to congratulate GDI for being appointed and look forward to working with the team to implement the scope of work.” GDI CEO Ibrahim J al Othman said, “The Lift Boat segment is one that we have been seeking to develop for several years. We welcome the opportunity to work with a customer like Dolphin Energy and look forward to having a long and mutually successful association with them.” While in the process of expanding its drilling fleet through the addition of three new built jack-up rigs and two new built land rigs, GDI also added a jack-up accommodation barge to its portfolio. A multiyear contract valued at an estimated $82 million to provide jack-up accommodation barge services for another operator in Qatar was concluded earlier this year and GDI is hopeful of adding more jack-up accommodation barges to its fleet in order to keep pace with the growing demand that is seen for these services.