Standard ETC will also invest an additional $5m through warrants, which increases its total ownership in Dolphin Drilling to reach 32.5%

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Standard ETC buys $10m stake in offshore drilling contractor Dolphin Drilling. (Credit: Julius Romero from Pixabay)

Standard ETC, previously called Standard Drilling, has acquired 25% in Dolphin Drilling Holdings, an offshore drilling rig company specialised in operating in harsh environment for a total of $10m.

The company has purchased the stake in Dolphin Drilling through an equity issue.

In addition to the cash consideration of $10m, Standard ETC will also invest an additional $5m through warrants, which increases its total ownership in Dolphin Drilling to reach 32.5%.

Standard ETC board chairman Martin Nes said: “We´re pleased to announce our investment in Dolphin Drilling, a company with deep industrial roots dating back to 1965 as one of the first drilling companies to operate in the North Sea.

“Today, the company owns and operates three energy efficient moored semi-submersible rigs and employs approximately 350 people.

“The current market provides opportunities for debt-free drilling contractors with ready to drill assets, and we look forward to work with the Dolphin team to realize the potential of the current fleet and future rig management operations.”

Standard ETC owns a fleet of seven platform supply vessels (PSV), and has cash and marketable securities valuing around $80m, as of March 2022. The company also holds 28% of five mid-sized PSVs.

Previously called Fred Olsen Energy, Dolphin Drilling owns and operates a fleet of 5th and 6th generation enhanced Aker H3 platforms.

The units are equipped with superior technical standards and have a broad operational track record, said the company.

Dolphin Drilling has around 350 employees working at its operational bases in Aberdeen, Scotland, Stavanger, Norway, in addition to offshore personnel.