Offshore Energy Briefing: Hitachi Energy Lands €770M Interconnector Deal as ONGC Races to Reposition 44 Rigs Ahead of Monsoon

## Offshore Energy Briefing ### Hitachi Energy Wins €770M Contract for Historic Europe-Africa Interconnector Hitachi Energy has secured a contract valued at approximately €770 million for the construction of the first-ever subsea power interconnector linking Europe and Africa, according to Offshore Energy. The landmark award marks a significant milestone in cross-continental energy infrastructure and underscores the growing strategic importance of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission technology in enabling long-distance power transfer across challenging marine environments. The project is expected to play a pivotal role in facilitating the export of renewable energy generated in North Africa to European markets, supporting the continent's broader energy transition goals. For the offshore and subsea engineering sectors, the contract signals continued strong demand for complex marine cable-laying and subsea infrastructure work, with implications for vessel operators, cable manufacturers, and specialist installation contractors across the industry. --- ### ABL Helps ONGC Reposition 44 Jack-Up Rigs Ahead of Monsoon Season In a significant logistical undertaking, ABL — part of Oslo-listed global consultancy Aqualis — has assisted India's state-owned energy giant Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) in repositioning its entire fleet of 44 jack-up drilling rigs deployed in Indian waters, Offshore Energy reports. The annual monsoon season presents severe operational challenges for offshore installations in the region, with high winds, heavy swells, and reduced visibility making it hazardous for jack-up rigs to remain on location at certain fields. The coordinated relocation effort, managed with support from ABL's marine warranty and consultancy expertise, reflects the scale of planning required to safeguard both personnel and assets during one of the most demanding seasonal weather events in the global offshore calendar. The operation highlights the critical role that independent marine consultancies play in supporting national oil companies in managing large, geographically dispersed offshore fleets. With ONGC operating one of the largest jack-up fleets in Asia, the successful pre-monsoon repositioning is essential to maintaining production continuity and ensuring the safety of offshore workers. --- *Sources: Offshore Energy. This briefing covers offshore energy infrastructure and operations relevant to the maritime and offshore sectors.*