Odfjell Drilling has returned its Deepsea Atlantic semisubmersible rig to operations after a blowout preventer (BOP) incident in April caused 106 days of off-hire, according to maritime publication Splash247. The Oslo-listed semisub player completed recovery of the dropped BOP, carried out repairs and installed a spare BOP before the rig resumed work.
BOP dropped while running
The incident occurred on April 18 while the blowout preventer was being run, Splash247 reported. The BOP dropped to the seabed at an approximate depth of 1,100 metres. No personnel were injured during the incident, according to the same report.
Operations on the rig were suspended while the BOP was recovered and necessary repair work was completed. In total, the rig logged 106 days of off-hire time, the publication said.
While off-hire, Odfjell Drilling recovered the dropped BOP and returned the rig to a yard to carry out repairs and install a spare BOP. Recovery and replacement of the dropped BOP, as well as costs associated with repair work on the rig itself, were covered by insurance, Splash247 reported.
Long-term Adura contract
At the time of the incident, the 2009-built semisub was operating offshore the UK under a long-term deal with Adura, the UK-based joint venture between Shell and Equinor, according to Splash247. The contract is set to end in mid-2027.
The following table summarises the key operational details from the Splash247 report:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Incident date | April 18 |
| BOP drop depth | Approximately 1,100 metres |
| Off-hire duration | 106 days |
| Rig build year | 2009 |
| Operating region | Offshore UK |
| Contract counterparty | Adura (Shell and Equinor joint venture) |
| Contract expiry | Mid-2027 |
| Insurance coverage | BOP recovery, replacement and rig repair costs |
Supply-side takeaways
Splash247's report did not disclose contract financial terms, production volumes or any impact on drilling schedules beyond the off-hire period. The 106-day suspension meant the rig was not in operation offshore the UK during that period.
The return to operations restores the Deepsea Atlantic's availability under the Adura contract, which is scheduled to continue until mid-2027, according to Splash247.
The incident illustrates the operational risks of BOP handling on floating drilling units. According to Splash247, the BOP dropped to the seabed while it was being run, no personnel were injured, and insurance covered the recovery, replacement and repair costs.
For commodity traders and analysts tracking offshore oil and gas supply chains, the episode provides a concrete case of rig downtime stemming from equipment failure. The Splash247 report did not include a financial impact statement from Odfjell Drilling; the company's announcement, as reported, confirmed the rig has resumed operations and that the Adura contract remains in force through mid-2027.
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