Transocean orders two drillships from Jurong Shipyard

Sembcorp Marine’s subsidiary Jurong Shipyard has signed two contracts for US$540 million each to build two drillships with options for three additional units from a subsidiary of Transocean Ltd (Transocean).

Scheduled for delivery in 2Q 2017 and 1Q 2018, the drillships will be built based on Jurong Shipyard’s proprietary Jurong Espadon III design which represents the next generation of high specification drillships with advanced capabilities for operational efficiency and ultra-deepwater development drilling operations worldwide.

Specifically designed for enhanced drilling operations, the drillships are equipped with state-of-the-art drilling facilities, a large moon pool to cater for a larger riser angle and bilge boxes designed for superior motion characteristics. The drillships also feature larger deck space with enclosed riser bay and round mud pits inside the hull for operational efficiency and safety. Equipped with DP-3 (Dynamic Positioning Class 3) capabilities, the drillships will be capable of operating at 12,000 ft water depth and drilling to depths of 40,000 ft, with accommodation facilities for a crew of 220 personnel.

William Gu, General Manager of Jurong Shipyard’s Offshore Division said “We are pleased that Transocean has chosen Jurong Shipyard as a strategic partner to build their drillships with us. We would like to thank Transocean for selecting us and for their confidence in our Jurong Espadon III design and capabilities.”

Transocean currently owns and operates six drilling rigs built by Sembcorp Marine’s yards, including three jack-ups and one semi-submersible delivered by PPL Shipyard and two semi-submersibles built by Jurong Shipyard.

“These newbuild drillship orders highlight continued execution of our long-term asset strategy,” said Steven L. Newman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Transocean Ltd. “We are committed to reinvesting in our fleet through the addition of differentiated, high-specification and high-return assets that will appeal to a wide spectrum of our customers.  We are very pleased to partner with Sembcorp Marine’s Jurong Shipyard in this effort.”