Order for new ultra-deepwater drillships

The first two drillships are firmly ordered with delivery in the first and second quarter 2013, respectively.

The total project contract includes project management, drilling and handling tools, spares, capitalized interest and operations preparations. The contract further includes a fixed price option for further two drillships to be declared during the first quarter 2011.

The dual derrick drillships are of an improved design compared to the three previous drillships Seadrill has taken delivery of from Samsung, with further enhanced capacity related to water depth, technical capabilities as well as increased accommodation capacity. The new dynamic positioning drillships will be capable of operations in water depths up to 3650 m and with a hook load capability of 1,250 tons especially targeting operations in challenging areas such as the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil and West Africa. The drillships will be the first newbuilds to be outfitted with seven ram configuration of the BOP (Blow Out Preventer) stack.