Norske Shell AS has signed a letter of intent with AGR Drilling Services for a contract worth NOK84m (£9m). AGR Drilling Services’ excavation and trenching technology has been chosen by Shell for the next phase of its extension project in the northern part of the Ormen Lange field. Four new engineering positions have been created at AGR DS in Aberdeen as a result.

The work will involve seabed levelling and pre-lay trenching in the stiff soils of Europe’s third-largest gas field. The ClayCutter X™ (example pictured) from AGR DS will be used on the project. John Sands, Vice President Trenching and Excavation, said: “We are delighted to have been selected by Shell to work with them on the next phase of seabed intervention on the Ormen Lange field.