Chinese shipbuilder receives rig construction order from Norway

Seadrill, the offshore deepwater drilling company based in Norway, has order two high-specification jack-up drilling rigs from Chinese offshore construction company, Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Offshore Inc. (DSIC Offshore).

The two new units will be based on the F&G JU2000E design, with water depth capacity of 400ft and drilling depth of 30,000ft. This design of the rig is the same as that being used for the current construction of four jack-ups ordered by Seadrill at Dalian and Jurong, Singapore.

The new units on order are scheduled for delivery during the first and second quarter 2015. The project’s cost is estimated to be approximately US$ 230 million per rig, including project management, capitalised interest, drilling and handling tools, spares and operation preparations.

Seadrill has in addition received fixed price option agreements to construct an additional two units at Dalian, with delivery in the third and fourth quarter 2015.

John Fredriksen, Chairman and President of Seadrill Limited, said: "Customers continue [to] show preference for newer units from drilling contractors with proven track records of safe and efficient operations.

“Currently 312 jack-ups or 65% of the total fleet of 483 jack-ups are older than 25 years. These two new firm orders increase our fleet of modern jack-ups to 25 rigs with an average age of 3 years, and further strengthens our position as the leading operator of premium modern, high-quality drilling units.”