Chinese E&P giant, CNOOC has awarded a contract extension to Maersk Drilling for the Maersk Innovator to perform drilling activities at the Buzzard field. An ultra-harsh environment jack-up rig, the Maersk Innovator will continue to drill infill wells in the North Sea until February 2020. Hydrocarbons were discovered in the Buzzard field back in 2001. CNOOC expects first oil from Phase 2 in 2021.