Seadrill commits to further drillship

April 12, 2011
Seadrill has ordered a new ultra-deepwater dual derrick drillship from the Samsung yard in South Korea.

Offshore staff

HAMILTON, Bermuda -- The contract price, estimated at $600 million, includes project management, drilling and handling tools, spares, capitalized interest, and operations preparations. Delivery is scheduled for 3Q 2013.

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The contract price, estimated at $600 million, includes project management, drilling and handling tools, spares, capitalized interest, and operations preparations. Delivery is scheduled for 3Q 2013.

The new DP vessel will be similar to the two units Seadrill contracted from Samsung last November, providing enhanced water depth capability and increased accommodation capacity compared to previous-generation drillships.

It will be able to work in water depths up to 12,000 ft (3,657 m), with a hook load capability of 1,250 tons. Other features are a seven-ram configuration of the BOP stack, targeted at operations in areas such as the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, and West Africa; and a 165-ton capacity heave-compensated crane, facilitating lifts onto the seafloor in water depths up to 3,000 m (9,842 ft).

Seadrill also secured an extension of the maturity date for a further option for its seventh drillship from Samsung since 2008. It may exercise this option if the current strength in the deepwater market persists.

04/12/2011