Seadrill orders jackup for Norway projects

March 21, 2011
Seadrill has commissioned a new jackup drilling rig from Jurong shipyard in Singapore, for use in development drilling in the Norwegian North Sea.

Offshore staff

HAMILTON, Bermuda -- Seadrill has commissioned a new jackup drilling rig from Jurong shipyard in Singapore, for use in development drilling in the Norwegian North Sea.

Construction should be completed by the end of 3Q 2013. The total project price of $530 million includes project management, drilling and handling tools, spares, and capitalized interest.

The new rig has been contracted to ConocoPhillips Norge for five years under a $680-million contract (including mobilization), due to start in late 2013. The contract remains subject to approval from Norway’s government for the Ekofisk South and Eldfisk II developments.

Seadrill says the jackup will be based on the same Gusto MSC CJ70 150A design used for itsWest Elara rig. This is an ultra-large, harsh environment, high spec unit, tailored to Norwegian requirements.

It can operate in water depths up to 150 m (492 ft) with a higher variable deck load and a higher operating efficiency compared to previous jackups, Seadrill claims, while the rig’s size allows for additional tasks such as well testing and early production.

03/21/2011