Exxon Mobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd. awarded a contract to Seadrill Ltd. and Field Offshore Design Engineering Nigeria Ltd for the newbuild ultra deepwater drillship West Saturn, in support of the ERHA North Phase 2 project in Nigeria.
The contract is for a firm period of two years plus a one year option. The total revenue for the primary contract term is for approximately US$497 million, inclusive of mobilization.
The West Saturn is a sixth-generation drillship, currently under construction at Samsung Heavy Industries in Geoje, South Korea with expected delivery in September 2014 and marks the sixth Seadrill unit to begin operation in the last 12 months.
The unit will initially be outfitted to work in up to 10,000ft of water and is capable of handling two BOP's, operating in up to 12,000ft of water and drilling depths up to 40,000ft.
The West Saturn is Seadrill's third rig in Nigeria, working alongside the West Jupiter and West Capella.
Seadrill recently won a contract with Total Upstream Nigeria for use of West Jupiter in support of the Egina ultra-deep offshore project in Nigeria. The contract is for five years and is worth about US$1.1 billion, inclusive of mobilization.
Seadrill’s West Capella has been operating in the Usan field offshore Nigeria since 2008.
Image of the West Jupiter (from Seadrill)
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