Seadrill drillship nets 10-well job in Angola

Sonadrill has secured a 10-well contract with options for up to eight additional wells in Angola for drillship West Gemini commencing in Q4 this year for a firm-term of 18 months in direct continuation of the drillship’s existing contract. The deal for the firm portion of the new contract is expected to be worth approximately US$161M inclusive of mobilisation revenue and additional services, with a possible performance bonus.

West Gemini is an ultra-deepwater drillship with an operational history offshore Africa and the third drillship to be bareboat chartered into Sonadrill, along with two Sonangol-owned units Sonangol Quenguela and Sonangol Libongos. West Gemini’s current firm contract with an undisclosed operator in Angola is expected to end in May with options until November 2022.

Seadrill owns or operates 30 rigs including drillships, semi-submersibles and jack-ups. The company will manage and operate the units on behalf of Sonadrill. Together, the three units position the Seadrill joint venture as the premier rig operator in Angola, furthering the goal of building an ultra-deepwater franchise in the Golden Triangle and driving efficiencies from rig clustering in the region.

Seadrill chief executive Simon Johnson said, “Our strategic partnership with Sonadrill is critical to the development of the Angolan oil and gas sector and to Seadrill’s position as the number one rig operator in Angola. We’re grateful for the Seadrill crew aboard West Gemini who deserve the lion’s share of the credit for this contract.”