AMKBF AP Moller Maersk (PK)

Maersk Drilling, the oil exploration services unit of Danish industrial conglomerate A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S (MAERSK-B.KO), said Monday it has been awarded a deep-water drilling contract with a value of US$610 million.

Without naming the customer by name, Maersk Drilling said it has signed a contract with a major oil company for drilling services in the Gulf of Mexico.

The order is to be carried out by one of four ultra deepwater drillships currently being constructed for Maersk Drilling by South Korean ships builder Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. (010140.SE).

The contract duration is three years and is expected to begin by the end of 2013 on delivery of the drillship from Samsung.

Write to Flemming Emil Hansen at flemming.hansen@dowjones.com