GDI signs deal with GLB to provide liftboat services

27/01/2015 06:05 AST

ulf Drilling International (GDI) has signed a contract with Gulf LiftBoat (GLB) for the provision of liftboat services to Dolphin Energy.

The contract covers services that commenced in January to continue through August this year, said GDI, a Gulf International Services subsidiary and the largest oilfield service company in Qatar.

The contract was signed by Ibrahim J al-Othman, GDI chief executive officer and Hans Simons, GLB chairman.

The liftboat is being used by Dolphin Energy (DEL) pursuant to a contract extension recently awarded to GDI, thereby providing the latter with the continued use of the liftboat over the same period.

Al-Othman said, "We are pleased to continue our relationship with GLB and to be using the Dixie Patriot again. GDI began using the Dixie Patriot for its first liftboat job with DEL back in 2013. GDI's relationship with GLB has endured two years and will be continuing for another eight months. GLB has stood side by side with GDI throughout the DEL contract and I am glad to say that the relationship has proved to be durable.

"We also appreciate the confidence that DEL has placed in GDI and are grateful for the opportunity to continue providing liftboat services to such a highly valued client."

Al-Othman also said GDI now has three liftboats under its "direction". "They are a complement to our core business of drilling and represented a diversification into a business segment that broadens GDI's business footprint while enhancing its prospects for sustainable profitability." Simons said, "GLB is thrilled to continue providing liftboat services to GDI with the Dixie Patriot. The company is grateful for the confidence that GDI has shown in GLB over the past two years and looks forward to building on the successful cooperation that has developed between the companies."

Liftboat services performed under this contract are providing DEL with vital support to its operations while enabling GDI to continue serving a growing business segment. The liftboat under this contract will ultimately be replaced by a new liftboat- 'Al Safliya' that GDI has ordered and is under construction at NKOM Shipyard.

GDI is scheduled to take delivery of 'Al Safliya' in December this year and the vessel will immediately go to work for DEL under a five-year contact that was announced.

Gulf Times