North Sea contractor Awilco Drilling has ordered a new semi-submersible drilling rig from Keppel FELS shipyard in Singapore for £325 million.

The rig is designed for harsh environment use and will be equipped and certified for drilling on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, including in the Barents Sea.

Awilco, headquartered in Westhill, near Aberdeen, expects to take delivery in March 2022.

The Oslo-listed company said the new unit would be similar to the one it ordered in March 2018.

Awilco has also appointed a new chief executive.

Jens Berge will replace Jon Oliver Bryce no later than June 4.

Chief operating officer Roddy Smith has been installed as interim CEO until Mr Berge’s arrival.

Mr Berge has served as chief operating officer at Prosafe since November 2017.

Chairman Sigurd Thorvildsen said: “The board would like to thank Jon Oliver Bryce for his nine years as Awilco Drilling’s CEO.

“At the same time, we are very pleased to announce that Jens Berge has accepted to take over the CEO position.”

Awilco currently owns two semi-submersible drilling rigs – WilPhoenix and WilHunter.

At the end of 2018, it had 25 full-time employees in the north-east, supported by three contractors.