Iranian Ship Linked to Houthi Attacks Heads Home Amid Tensions
(Bloomberg) — An Iranian ship that’s been linked to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea is returning home, removing a prominent asset in the area as the Islamic Republic braces...
Hamilton, Bermuda, April 11, 2011 – Seadrill (NYSE:SDRL) has exercised an option to build a new ultra-deepwater dual derrick drillship at the Samsung yard in South Korea. Total project price is estimated at US$600 million (includes project management, drilling and handling tools, spares, capitalized interest and operations preparations). The delivery is scheduled for the third quarter 2013.
The new unit is similar to the two drillships Seadrill ordered from Samsung in November 2010 with enhanced water depth capacity, technical capabilities as well as increased accommodation capacity compared to previous generation drillships. The dynamic positioning drillship, will be capable of operations in water depths up to 12,000 feet, and will have a hook load capability of 1,250 tons. This rig is also outfitted with seven ram configuration of the BOP (Blow Out Preventer) stack, especially targeting operations in challenging areas such as the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil and West Africa. Furthermore, the drillship will be equipped with a 165 ton capacity heave compensated crane enhancing the unit’s operational flexibility and facilitating lifts on the seabed in water depths up to 3,000 meters.
Seadrill has simultaneously secured an extension of the maturity date for a further option agreement to build its seventh drillship to be delivered from Samsung since 2008. Seadrill has currently no specific plan to exercise this option, but might consider it if the strong underlying trend currently seen in the deep water market continues.
Alf C Thorkildsen, Chief Executive Officer of Seadrill Management AS, says: “The decision to add another ultra-deepwater newbuild to our modern fleet is based on
“The strengthening of Seadrill’s equity basis through the recently announced bond conversion creates financial flexibility for growing the company further without raising additional equity. The current long-term dayrates give a healthy return on the investment, with further upside if the market strengthens as a result of the strong trend in the oil price. The project will based on current dayrates and anticipated financing increase Seadrill’s dividend capacity going forward. The ordering of the new drillship further confirms Seadrill’s commitment to remain a growth company, with the target of reaching US$3 billion in EBITDA in the coming years.”
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 105,943 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign UpMaritime and offshore news trusted by our 105,943 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up