Maersk Drilling has been awarded a contract for the drillship Maersk Venturer with oil major Total. The contract covers one exploration well (estimated duration 120 days) in block 14 offshore Uruguay. The estimated contract value for the programme is USD 44m excluding mobilisation. The drilling programme is expected to commence in March 2016.
“We have collaborated and partnered with Total many times over the years. Total is a highly valued customer of Maersk Drilling, and we are very pleased with being selected by Total to drill their first exploration well offshore Uruguay,” says Claus V. Hemmingsen, CEO in Maersk Drilling and member of the Executive Board in the Maersk Group and continues: “With this contract, we continue to build our contract backlog and secure work for our rigs and people, which is very encouraging in this challenging market.”
Maersk Venturer is the third in a series of four ultra deepwater drillships in Maersk Drilling’s fleet. The four drillships represent a total investment of USD 2.6bn. The other three drillships have all secured long-term contracts.
Facts about the new drillships from Maersk Drilling
Featuring dual derrick and large subsea work and storage areas, the design allows for efficient well construction and field development activities through offline activities. With their advanced positioning control system, the ships automatically maintain a fixed position in severe weather conditions with waves of up to 11 metres and wind speeds of up to 26 metres per second. Special attention has been given to safety on board the drillships. Equipped with Multi Machine Control on the drill floor, the high degree of automation ensures safe operation and consistent performance. Higher transit speeds and increased capacity will reduce the overall logistics costs for oil companies.
About Maersk Drilling
Maersk Drilling’s modern fleet counts 22 drilling rigs including drillships, deepwater semi-submersibles and high-end jack-up rigs. Further, Maersk Drilling has one ultra harsh environment jack-up rig under construction. Maersk Drilling employs an international staff of 4,500 people and generated a profit (NOPAT) of USD 478m in 2014.
Source: www.maerskdrilling.com