French supermajor TotalEnergies has exercised an option to keep the Maersk Drilling drillship Maersk Valiant working offshore Suriname for a little longer.

The rig has been operating for TotalEnergies in Block 58 in Suriname since March 2021 as part of a multi-well exploration and appraisal programme.

Maersk said TotalEnergies agreed to extend the rig’s contract for an additional 100 days to spud one more probe in the South American nation.

The charter extension is valued at approximately $24.7 million and is expected to commence in January 2023 in direct continuation of the current workscope.

It includes integrated services and a fee for the use of managed pressure drilling. It was the last one-well option under the rig’s contract.

The Maersk Valiant is presently drilling a second appraisal well at the Sapakara South-1 discovery in Block 58, where TotalEnergies and project partner Apache conducted a successful flow test late last year.

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