Noble exercises option for two more jackup drilling rigs from Jurong

Offshore staff

ZUG, Switzerland –Noble Corp. has exercised options with Jurong Shipyard for construction of two additional heavy-duty, harsh-environment JU3000N jackup drilling rigs.

Total cost for these two orders is about $245 million per rig and brings Noble’s jackup rig construction total with Jurong to six. These two latest orders are expected to be delivered from the shipyard during the 3Q and 4Q of 2014.

The rigs, which are approximately 231 ft (70 m) long, 270 ft (82 m) wide, will have the capability to operate in water depths up to 400 ft (122 m) and drill to depths of 30,000 ft (9,144 m). The rigs will each have a 75- ft (23-m) cantilever, 2.5 million pounds of hook load capacity, a high-capacity mud circulating system, and a 15,000 psi blowout preventer system. The units are capable of off-line pipe handling and offer accommodations for up to 150 people.

"We continue to see a growing interest from clients for the advanced features of the JU3000N jackup design,” said David W. Williams, chairman and CEO of Noble Corp. “Opportunities for these units are evident in several offshore regions, including the North Sea, Middle East, and Asia. This latest rig order reflects our continuing commitment to expand our ownership of industry-leading offshore drilling technology, enabling us to address some of the most demanding well construction challenges around the world."

08/01/2011