Atwood Oceanics has secured a drilling services contract for the Atwood Advantage by a subsidiary of Noble Energy for a worldwide program commencing in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Atwood Advantage drillship is currently under construction at Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) shipyard in South Korea and is scheduled for delivery in September 2013.
The agreement specifies an operating rate of approximately $584,000 per day and a firm duration of three years, exclusive of the mobilization period from DSME to the first drilling location in the Eastern Mediterranean. The dual BOP stacks, enhanced offline capabilities, 12,000-ft water depth/40,000-ft drill depth ratings and the increased mobility will add flexibility to Noble Energy’s global exploration program. The rig’s advanced capabilities are sufficient to reach the deep oil target in the Eastern Mediterranean, which will be the first exploration prospect drilled.
Atwood Oceanics currently owns 11 mobile offshore drilling units and is constructing two ultra-deepwater drillships and two high-specification jackups for deliveries in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
