Maersk to deploy new rig to North Sea

Danish energy explorer Maersk Drilling said it's deploying its Maersk Intrepid rig to work in the harsh environment of the Martin Linge field in the North Sea.

Maersk said the rig is the first in a series of four meant to work in ultra-harsh environments. The rig will leave for the North Sea in two weeks for a four-year contract with a Total subsidiary working in the field.

"The Maersk Intrepid will be drilling the demanding and complex wells on the Martin Linge field development in the Norwegian North Sea," the Danish company said Tuesday.

Combined, the four ultra-harsh jack-up rigs represent a $2.6 billion investment for Maersk.

Martin Linge is situated near the maritime border with the United Kingdom.

Total, which serves as the field's operator, said oil and natural gas production should start in 2016. Martin Linge is expected to produce on average 80,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.