Norwegian Fred Olsen Energy’s drilling unit has won a 14-month contract worth $35 million for its Byford Dolphin rig offshore UK, the firm said.

“The drilling programme is scheduled to commence in January 2005,” Fred. Olsen Energy ASA said. But it did not identify the company awarding the contract.
The contract includes an escalating day rate, starting at $70,000 and rising to $85,000, throughout the contract period, it said.
Fred Olsen said separately that its deepwater drilling ship Bedford Dolphin, under three-year contract to Indian state oil company ONGC, had lower-than-expected revenues in September due to repair and modification work and relocation of the vessel.