New drilling gig taking Diamond Offshore’s drillship from Africa to Gulf of Mexico

Texas-headquartered offshore drilling contractor Diamond Offshore Drilling has found a new assignment for one of its seventh-generation drillships in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. This rig has been working in Africa since July 2021.

The new contract with BOE Exploration & Production, which recently stated production from a two-well oil project in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, will enable the Ocean BlackRhino drillship to work in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico for a minimum duration of 180 days. The deal, with a total value of approximately $89 million, excluding mobilization and any additional services, also includes two additional option periods.

According to the rig owner, the work under the new assignment is anticipated to begin late in the first quarter or early second quarter of 2025. The Ocean BlackRhino is an ultra-deepwater drillship from Hyundai Heavy Industries, which comes with dynamic-positioning, dual-activity capability, maximum hook-load capacity of 1,250 tons, water depth capabilities up to 12,000 feet, and drilling depth capabilities up to 40,000 feet. 

Bernie Wolford, Jr., Diamond Offshore’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “This contract reflects the BlackRhino’s exceptional track record and is the third in a series of follow-on contracts for the rig after its current contract.”

The 2014-built Ocean BlackRhino drillship, which is working in Senegal for Woodside, is expected to move to Guinea-Bissau in August 2024 to undertake an assignment with an undisclosed company, after which it is slated to go to Ivory Coast in December 2024, where it will carry out operations for Foxtrot.

Diamond Offshore’s rigs are expected to become part of Noble Corporation’s fleet, as the latter has taken steps to enlarge its fleet to 41 rigs, encompassing 28 floaters and 13 jack-ups.