Offshore drilling companies Dolphin Drilling and Shelf Drilling have secured new long-term contracts in Nigeria at solid dayrates.

Dolphin, which owns three moored semi-submersible drilling rigs, has signed a new contract for the rig Blackford Dolphin with Peak Petroleum in Nigeria.

The new contract has the potential to extend the backlog by a minimum of 120 days and up to 485 days, in addition to the current 12-month contract with General Hydrocarbons of Nigeria.

Dolphin said the effective dayrate associated with the minimum firm period of the new contract is $325,000 including the mobilisation fee.