Qatar Petroleum announced on 1 May that it has signed the key drilling contracts for its North Field gas expansion project. It signed up for a total of eight jackup drilling rigs, with six from fellow state firm Gulf Drilling International (GDI), and two from US firm Northern Offshore Drilling Operations Limited.
GDI states that it currently has eight offshore rigs, so absent further purchases, the bulk of its fleet will be dedicated to the expansion work once drilling begins. (CONTINUED - 355 WORDS)
