Vantage set to reactivate two jackups

May 8, 2021
Vantage Drilling International has issued an update on its offshore drilling rig fleet.

Offshore staff

HOUSTON – Vantage Drilling International has issued an update on its offshore drilling rig fleet.

The jackup Aquamarine Driller has received a letter of award for an eight-month contract in Southeast Asia starting in 2Q 2021. Also, the rig received a letter of award for a multi-year contract in the Middle East starting in 1Q 2022.

ONGC has extended the drillship Platinum Explorer’s contract until July/August 2021. In addition, the company awarded the drillship a two-year contract starting in 3Q 2021.

The jackup Sapphire Driller received a letter of award for a multi-year contract in the Middle East commencing in 1Q 2022. The jackup is expected to start a contract with Trident offshore Equatorial Guinea in 2Q 2021.

In March, the jackup Topaz Driller began its contract with Eni in Montenegro. APO has awarded the jackup Topaz Driller a three-month contract for a work-over program in Tunisia starting in 4Q 2021.

Seadrill Partners Management has contracted the company to manage the drillships West Polaris and West Capella, and the semisubmersibles West Leo and West Sirius. The Sirius, Leo and Polaris are stacked in Port Aransas, Norway and Sri Lanka, respectively. The Capella is not currently managed by Vantage.

In addition, the company completed the sale of the drillship Titanium Explorer. The rig is expected to be recycled soon.

In its latest results statement, Vantage CEO Ihab Toma said: “The first quarter appeared to mark the early stages of a recovery for the industry with signs of improving tendering and contract activity.  Indeed, we added approximately $127 million of backlog during the quarter…

“At current levels of Brent prices, we believe that shallow water activity is stabilizing, and we remain optimistic that deepwater could begin to recover later this year.”

05/08/2021