Under the patronage and attendance of H.E. Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman and Managing Director of Qatar Petroleum (QP), Maersk Oil Qatar (MOQ) and Gulf Drilling International (GDI) have signed two new contracts; one two-year contract for the GDI jack-up drilling rig (rig ‘B-341’), and another three-year contract for a new GDI offshore accommodation jack-up. The total value of these contracts is more than 750 million Qatari Riyals.

Today’s signings represent the second and third major agreements between GDI and MOQ in 2013. In February this year, the companies signed a contract for the offshore jack-up drilling rig “Al Jassra”, which is already working in the Al Shaheen field. This makes the total agreements signed between MOQ and GDI in 2013 worth a combined amount of about QR 1.56 billion.

The agreements were signed by MOQ’s Managing Director Mr. Lewis Affleck, and GDI’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ibrahim J. Al-Othman. Also in attendance were: Mr Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, Director of Oil and Gas Ventures of Qatar Petroleum; Mr Jakob Thomasen, Chief Executive Officer of Maersk Oil; and Sheikh Faisal Bin Fahad Al Thani, Deputy Managing Director of MOQ.

In his comments on the occasion, H.E. Dr. Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry, Chairman and Managing director of Qatar Petroleum and Chairman and Managing director of Gulf international services.   Commended the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, and his continuous support of the oil and gas sector. Dr. Al-Sada also praised GDI’s rapid development and was appreciative of the high quality of service that it provides.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Jakob Thomasen, Chief Executive Officer of Maersk Oil said, "In close partnership with Qatar Petroleum, Maersk Oil operates Qatar’s largest offshore oil field, Al Shaheen. As a trusted and reliable operator that is committed to supporting Qatar’s National vision of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Maersk Oil works closely with Qatari businesses to maximise local participation in its activities. Today’s signing with GDI is testament to this commitment."

On this occasion Mr Ibrahim J. Al-Othman, GDI’s Chief Executive expressed his sincere appreciation H.E. Dr. Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry, Chairman and Managing director of Qatar Petroleum and Chairman and Managing director of Gulf international services for his unlimited support to GDI.

Mr Ibrahim J. Al-Othman, GDI’s Chief Executive Officer added, "Today’s signing signifies another important milestone in the relationship between GDI and Maersk Oil Qatar. In recent months we have worked tirelessly together to bring the Al Jassra rig safely into operation, whilst simultaneously identifying and maturing two additional, very significant, opportunities for GDI to work with Maersk Oil in the Al Shaheen field. This is truly a great achievement, and one that we are very proud of. GDI continues to grow and flourish as an organisation thanks guidance and support of our GDI board of directors and the professionalism of its employees and the high quality technical solutions that we offer to our clients."