Norway’s drilling sector continues its relentless march to the top of the global league tables with another $4billion of contract wins. On this occasion BP is said to be the client.
Seadrill has received a contracts commitment covering its new-build drillships West Auriga and West Vela, plus a third drilling unit . . . a semi-submersible . . . currently at work but which will be named later.
While BP has not been officially linked, the company is known to be strengthening its US Gulf of Mexico commitment and the $4billion package would add the equivalent of 19 rig years for use in its exploration and development programmes.
West Auriga and West Vela are currently under construction at Samsung in South Korea. They are expected to sail for the US Gulf following completion, which is currently scheduled for late February and May of next year. Start-up of operations are scheduled for September and December of that year.
Auriga and Vela are the fourth and fifth drillships to be delivered to Seadrill by Samsung in the last four years. They will be capable of working in water depths to 3,600m and to drill wells to 11,400m. The core of the drilling package for this class of vessel is a 1,250-ton main derrick and 1,000-ton auxiliary derrick. Seven-ram blow-out preventers will be fitted as standard.
Welcoming this latest and huge package of work, Alf C Thorkildsen, Seadrill Management’s CEO, said: “The breadth and depth of this commitment from a major oil company is the result of our track record of delivering rigs on time, operating with a competent workforce and having the availability of a modern fleet.
“We are excited about the opportunity to further grow our fleet and operations in the US Gulf of Mexico, which we consider as one of the most cost-effective drilling regions. In addition, the term of the contracts fits well with Seadrill financing plans including the potential use of MLP financing.”