"We are working constructively with the authorities in the Hamriyah Free Zone in a bid to resolve the situation and gain access to the rigs to which we have title," Thule chairman Hans Eirik Olav told Upstream.

Thule issued a statement to the Oslo Stock Exchange on Wednesday, revealing that it had received a letter from QGM Group on 2 August stating the yard was "completely out of funds"and would close permanently.

"Thule