Pacific orders eighth SHI drillship

Offshore staff

LUXEMBOURG – Pacific Drilling has exercised an option with Samsung Heavy Industries for an eighth ultra-deepwater drillship to be delivered 1Q 2015.

Total cost for the vessel is approximately $620 million, excluding capitalized interest.

The new drillship will be rated to operate in 12,000-ft (3,658-m) water depths with the ability to drill to 40,000 ft (12,192 m). The rig will support dual gradient drilling and have accommodations for 200 people.

“The strong market for deepwater drilling, attractive construction cost, strength of relationships with our preferred vendors, and robust operating performance of our in-service rigs support the decision to invest in the further expansion of our fleet,” said Pacific Drilling CEO Chris Beckett.

01/22/2013