Newbuild Atwood deepwater drillship to start in East Med for Noble

Sept. 27, 2012
Noble Energy Inc. (NYSE: NBL) has entered into a 36-month contract with Atwood Oceanics Inc. (NYSE: ATW) for the newbuild drillship Atwood Advantage.

Offshore staff

HOUSTON -- Noble Energy Inc. (NYSE: NBL) has entered into a 36-month contract with Atwood Oceanics Inc. (NYSE: ATW) for the newbuild drillship Atwood Advantage.

This will support Noble’s global new ventures efforts in deepwater exploration and development. The unit’s first well will target a deep oil prospect in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

DSME is currently building theAtwood Advantage in South Korea. Features include dual BOP stacks, enhanced offline capabilities, 12,000 ft. (3,657 m) water depth/40,000 ft. (12,192 m) drill depth ratings.

Noble anticipates delivery is 4Q 2013, at which point the agreed dayrate of $584,000 will begin.

9/27/2012