offshore drilling rig operator Seadrill announced that three of its drilling rigs have secured new contracts and contract extensions in Malaysia, Norway, and Brazil respectively.
In Malaysia, the ultra-deepwater drillship “West Capella” has signed a single-well drilling contract with an undisclosed operator, scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2026, with an estimated duration of 440 days. The contract also includes pricing options for three additional wells. The total fixed-term value of the contract is approximately US$157 million, including a US$5 million dispatch fee, but excluding additional services.
In Norway, the drilling rig “West Elara” has entered into a contract with Equinor for accommodation services on the Norwegian continental shelf. The contract, valued at US$78 million, is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2026 and continue into the fourth quarter of 2027, with three three-month pricing options included. To fulfill this contract, Seadrill has reached an agreement with existing contractors to ensure the “West Elara” is operational, adding a net US$23 million to the platform’s total contract value.
In Brazil, Seadrill confirmed the extension of the existing contract for the drillship “West Carina” until April 2026.
It is reported that Seadrill owns a total of 15 drilling rigs, excluding two joint-venture-held drilling ships.
Built in 2008, the “West Capella” is a sixth-generation ultra-deepwater dual-function drilling ship with a maximum drilling depth of 37,500 feet, an operating water depth of 10,000 feet, and a capacity of 180 people.
The West Elara was built in 2011 with a design drilling depth of 35,000 feet. It is equipped with a Hydril blowout preventer (BOP) rated at 15,000 psi, a selective catalytic reduction system that reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 95%, and a Caterpillar C280 high-horsepower engine capable of stable operation in extreme sea conditions.
The West Carina, built in 2014, is a seventh-generation ultra-deepwater drilling ship
with a maximum drilling depth of 37,500 feet and a design operating water depth of 12,000 feet.