Diamond orders second deepwater drillship

Feb. 3, 2011
Diamond Offshore Drilling Ltd. has exercised an option with Hyundai Heavy Industries Co Ltd. for construction of a second ultra-deepwater drillship.

Offshore staff

HOUSTON – Diamond Offshore Drilling Ltd. has exercised an option with Hyundai Heavy Industries Co Ltd. for construction of a second ultra-deepwater drillship. The $590-million vessel is due for delivery in 4Q 2013.

Diamond also secured a fixed-price option on the third drillship from Hyundai. That option must be exercised before the end of 1Q 2011.

The new vessels will be named Ocean BlackHornet and Ocean BlackHawk.

The vessel will be a dynamically positioned drillship with a seven-ram BOP, dual activity capability, five mud pumps and hook capacity of 1,250 tons. It will be designed to operate in as much as 12,000 ft (3,658 m) water depth.

02/03/2011