The worldwide deepwater (4,000 ft [1,219 m] water depth and greater) rig fleet has grown significantly since 2008 whenOffshore last presented its Worldwide Survey of Deepwater Drilling Rigs. The deepwater rig survey is conducted every other year, with a jackup survey published in alternate years. The deepwater rig survey was conducted during May and represents a snapshot of the existing operational deepwater fleet capable of drilling in 4,000 ft of water and greater. Rigs under construction are not included in the survey. New rigs with a construction date in 2010 are included if they are delivered from the shipyard, or expected to be delivered from the shipyard, by the end of June.
In 2008, the survey recorded 103 deepwater rigs, including 46 moored semisubmersibles and drillships and 57 dynamically positioned rigs. Only two years later, the deepwater rig fleet had grown to 129 rigs, a 25% increase. However, in the industry’s push toward ever deeper waters, the number of DP rigs rose by 24 to 81 units, translating into a 42% growth since 2008. On the other hand, moored deepwater rigs experienced only a 2% growth, to 48 rigs in 2008.
Several offshore drilling contractors in the survey posted increases in their deepwater rig fleets, however, none as dramatic as Transocean. In the 2008 survey, Transocean reported 12 moored vessels and 24 dynamically positioned rigs in its fleet, plus eight rigs under construction at that time. In the 2010 survey, the contractor reported it still had 12 moored rigs but its fleet included 31 DP rigs (eight newbuild rigs minus theDeepwater Horizon). Transocean still has two DP rigs under construction that are scheduled for delivery later this year.
Transocean’s fleet growth illustrates the industry’s general growth trend of deepwater and ultra deepwater DP vessels. Several of the rigs are designed and equipped for drilling in up to 10,000 ft (3,048 m) of water with a few designed and equipped to operate in up to 12,000 ft (3,658 m) of water.
ENSCO also posted dramatic growth of its DP rig fleet, from one semisubmersible in 2008 to four in 2010 plus another four under construction, including one unit scheduled for delivery in late 2010 that is not listed in this year’s survey due to its delivery schedule. The contractor’s first DP semisubmersible, theENSCO 7500, was delivered in 2000. The rig is designed for drilling in up to 8,000 ft (2,438 m) of water and equipped to work in up to 7,500 ft (2,286 m) water depths.
There was a nine-year span from delivery of theENSCO 7500 to its next newbuild rig, ENSCO 8500, in 2009. The ENSCO 8501 and ENSCO 8502 were delivered in 2009 and 2010, respectively. The four DP semisubmersibles under construction are essentially identical rigs, all of the 8500 series, and are consecutively numbered to ENSCO 8506, with deliveries stretching to 2012. The 8500 series semisubmersibles are designed to drill in up to 10,000 ft of water and will be equipped to drill in up to 8,500 ft (2,591 m) of water.
Stena Drilling increased its deepwater rig fleet to four DP rigs from three in 2008. The contractor also has one drillship under construction scheduled for delivery during 2012, a Stena/Samsung design dubbed theDrillmax Ice. The rig has essentially the same specifications as its existing fleet of Drillmax design drillships except it will be, according to the company, the world’s first ice class +1A1 dual mast, ultra deepwater drillship designed specifically for arctic conditions. Like its other drillships, the Drillmax Ice is designed for 10,000 ft water depths and equipped for 7,500 of water.
New companies included in survey
Several drilling contractors are new to the list in 2010, including Maersk Drilling, which didn’t have deepwater rigs in 2008 that met the survey criteria of greater than 4,000 ft of water, although several were under construction at the time. The contractor took delivery of three new KFELS MSC Gusto DSS 21 design semisubmersibles, two in 2009 and one this year. Each of the rigs is designed and equipped to work in up to 10,000 ft of water.
Sea Dragon is another company that didn’t have rigs meeting the water depth criteria in 2008, although the company had two deepwater semisubmersibles under construction then. Those rigs have since been delivered. TheSea Dragon I and II are essentially identical rigs, both Moss Maritime CS50 Mk II designs. The Sea Dragon I was delivered in 2009 and the Sea Dragon II was delivered in 2010. Both rigs are rated and equipped to drill in up to 10,000 ft of water.
Pacific Drilling is another company new to the listing. The company has had two deepwater drillships in its fleet, owned by a 50/50 joint venture with Transocean, which operates and manages the rigs. The rigs,Dhirubhai Deepwater KG1 and Dhirubhai Deepwater KG2, are included in Transocean’s fleet.
This year, Pacific Drilling has a separate listing a result of four deepwater drillships that were under construction. One unit, thePacific Bora was delivered in 2010. The remaining three units are scheduled for delivery during 2011. Like the Dhirubhai drillships, the Pacific Bora and the Pacific Mistral, to be delivered in 2011, are Samsung 10000 designs rated and equipped for operating in 10,000 ft of water. Both rigs are rated to drill to 37,500 ft. The Pacific Scirocco and the Pacific Santa Ana are Samsung 12000 designs for 12,000 ft of water and equipped for drilling in 10,000 ft of water. These rigs are rated to drill to 40,000 ft deep. The Pacific Santa Ana recently was contracted by Chevron for five years beginning in late 2011.
Continuing the companies new to the survey this year are Petroserv, with two DP semisubmersibles, Queiroz Galvao Oleo & Gas with one new rig meeting the 4,000 ft water depth criteria, Sevan Marine, whoseSevan Driller semisubmersible is unique with its nearly circular design rather than the traditional square or rectangular configuration, and IPC, a Grupo R holding company division with its La Muralla V.
Rigs under construction
There will be a few new contractors added to the 2012 edition of the survey as a result of deepwater rigs presently under construction for delivery late 2010 and beyond. For example, Songa Offshore, which has one drillship and four semisubmersibles rated for water depths of less than 4,000 ft, will join the survey in 2012 as a result of its semisubmersibleSonga Eclipse scheduled for delivery in 2011. The rig is an F&G ExD Millenium 6th generation semisubmersible designed to drill in up to 10,000 ft of water. As it is currently being built, it will be equipped to drill in up to 7,500 ft water depth. Its rated drilling depth is 40,000 ft.
While many drilling contractors reported increased rig fleets, there were several that did not change. Among those contractors are Aker Drilling, Atwood Oceanics (which has two semisubmersibles under construction), Dolphin Drilling, Frontier Drilling (which has two DP drillships under construction in a joint venture with Shell), and Aban.
The 2012 Worldwide Survey of Deepwater Drilling Rigs is anticipated to grow significantly compared with this year’s survey, and should include many companies not listed in previous surveys due to deepwater rigs under construction for delivery during 2010, 2011, and early 2012. Some of the companies that could be new to the 2012 survey are CNOOC, Delba, Larsen Oil & Gas, Odebrecht, Odfjell Drilling, Saipem, Songa Drilling, and Ocean Rig.
