Two Transocean drillships get new Gulf of Mexico gigs

Offshore drilling contractor Transocean has won two contracts which, in aggregate, contribute approximately $55.5 million in the backlog.

The 2016-built Deepwater Conqueror drillship was awarded a one-well contract with a major operator in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The value of this contract adds approximately 85 days and $28.5 million in the backlog, Transocean said on Wednesday.

The drillship has been under contract with Chevron since December 2016. According to Transocean’s fleet status report released earlier this month, the deal is scheduled to expire in December 2021. The day rate under this deal is $579,000.

Additionally, the 2014-built Deepwater Asgard was awarded a one-well contract with another operator in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The value of this contract adds approximately 90 days and $27 million in backlog and includes $40,000 per day for managed pressure drilling services.

Both contracts are expected to start in the first quarter of 2022.

Deepwater Asgard is currently under contract with Beacon, also in the Gulf of Mexico, which expires this month. The day rate is $240,000.

Earlier this month, Transocean reported that, since its previous fleet status report in April 2021, it had secured contracts for five of its drillships and four semi-submersible rigs, boosting its backlog to $7.3 billion.