The Valaris Norway jack-up rig has departed from Dundee, Scotland, and is en route to the Southern North Sea to commence a decommissioning campaign on behalf of Neo Energy. The rig's departure follows a brief interlude between contracts, during which maintenance work was carried out.

Upon arrival in block 49/17a of the UK Continental Shelf, the Valaris Norway rig will undertake decommissioning operations on the Victoria subsea well. This project is estimated to last approximately 20 days, with an operating rig day rate set at $105,000.

Tord Vintervold, Valaris Rig Manager, commented on the rig's departure, stating, "The VALARIS Norway departed the shipyard after a short visit between contracts. The rig safely completed some maintenance work scopes, including BOP recertification, changing out the 15K choke & Kill manifold, shaker upgrades, and crane maintenance and recertification. We wish the crew the best for the upcoming campaign."

Neo Energy, backed by private equity, submitted its final plans for decommissioning the Southern North Sea gas field in the previous year. The field's Victoria subsea infrastructure, situated in water depths of up to 27 meters, will be the focus of the decommissioning effort. The infrastructure is connected to the Viking BD skid, owned by Harbour Energy, which was previously under ConocoPhillips' ownership.

Valaris had previously secured two North Sea rig deals with operators Harbour Energy and Neo Energy. A two-year jack-up extension for the Valaris 92 with Harbour Energy, carrying a day rate of $95,000, is set to commence in Q1 2024 for plug and abandonment (P&A) activities.

The departure of the Valaris Norway rig to engage in decommissioning work marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to responsibly manage offshore infrastructure in the North Sea region.