Core Insights - Equinor ASA has awarded a contract to Odfjell Drilling for the Deepsea Aberdeen drillship to operate on the Norwegian Continental Shelf [2][10] - The contract is expected to add approximately $373 million to Odfjell Drilling's firm order backlog, enhancing revenue visibility for the company [4][10] - The drilling work is anticipated to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026 and continue through the first quarter of 2029 [3][10] Company and Industry Summary - Odfjell Drilling's contract with Equinor follows a letter of intent signed in November, indicating a strong partnership between the two companies [3][10] - The Deepsea Aberdeen rig is designed for harsh weather conditions, featuring an enhanced GVA7500 design and capable of operating in water depths of 3,000 meters [5][10] - Odfjell Drilling currently has three rigs from its fleet working with Equinor, showcasing its ongoing collaboration in the energy sector [5]

Acquisition and Contract - Odfjell Drilling has completed the acquisition of the Deepsea Bollsta drilling rig, which includes a drilling contract with Equinor until early 2028, with options for five one-year extensions [1] - The rig will be renamed Deepsea Bergen, with the formal name change set for 2026 [1] Refinancing and Financial Structure - The company has secured long-term funding through a refinancing process, which includes $550 million in term loans and revolving credit facilities, along with a new $650 million bond rated for 5.25 years [2] - The refinancing process has improved pricing, extended maturities to 2031, and retained flexibility through revolving facilities [5] Financial Stability and Earnings Impact - Odfjell Drilling's amortization schedule remains consistent, with an average annual amortization of around $94 million projected over the next five years [3] - The company has no significant debt maturities until 2031, ensuring long-term financial stability [3] - The acquisition was financed entirely through debt and is expected to have an immediate positive impact on earnings [3] Order Backlog and Operational Risk - The acquisition, combined with existing contracts for the Deepsea Nordkapp and Deepsea Aberdeen rigs, boosts the company's secured order backlog by nearly $1 billion since the last reporting period [4] - The company has operated the rig for the past three years and expects minimal operational risk during the integration process [4] Strategic Positioning - Odfjell Drilling has an average of two and a half years of backlog secured across its owned units at attractive day rates, positioning the company well for 2026 [5]