AP Moller's Maersk Contractors sells drilling rigs for US$455 mln

AP Moller Maersk said its Maersk Contractors division sold three drilling rigs to Northern Offshore Ltd Bermuda. RB Boersen, citing news agency TDN Finans, said the price of the rigs totalled 455 mln usd. Maersk Contractors will continue to operate the rigs on behalf of Northern Offshore until its existing contracts with AP Moller's Oil and Gas division expire in 2008 and 2009 respectively, said AP Moller.