London, United Kingdom | – Seadrill, the world’s biggest offshore driller by market capitalisation, in cooperation with indigenous partner Field Offshore Design Engineering Nigeria Ltd. has secured a two-year $497 million (296.21 million pounds) contract with Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd. for one of its newbuild ultra-deepwater drillship West Saturn, the firm said on Friday.
The deal, which also includes a one-year option, is for work in Nigeria, in support of the ERHA North Phase 2 project, the firm said.
The rig, under construction at Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea, the West Saturn is a sixth generation drillship with expected delivery next month. Outfitted to work in up to 10,000 ft (3,048 m) of water, the unit is capable of handling two BOPs, operating in up to 12,000 ft (3,658 m) of water and drilling depths up to 40,000 ft (12,192 m).
