Saipem S.p.A. has sealed a 3-month agreement with Gaz de France Suez (GDF Suez) for the charter of Scarabeo 4 to be engaged in drilling activities offshore Egypt.

Scarabeo 4 is a second generation semi-submersible drilling rig capable of operating in water depths of up
to 1,500 feet. It is currently under contract with the International Egyptian Oil Company (IEOC), and will be chartered by DF Suez under a contract assignment.

The rig was recently used by British Petroleum (BP) to make two discoveries in the company’s offshore North El Burg concession.

The contract is one of several important offshore deals secured by Saipem recently, which also include drilling contracts in the UAE and Ecuador.

Saipem is a subsidiary of Italian oil firm Eni.