Sembcorp Marine Delivers Second 8th Generation Drillship

Singaporean offshore shipbuilder Sembcorp Marine has delivered the world’s second 8th generation drillship, named Deepwater Titan, to a subsidiary of Transocean.

Sembcorp Marine says Deepwater Titan, along with sister rig Deepwater Atlas, delivered in June 2022, are set to redefine standards for offshore drilling. The two drillships are based on Sembcorp Marine’s proprietary Jurong Espadon 3T design, with well control capability of 20,000 psi, compared to 15,000 psi that is common among 7th generation drillships which started entering service in 2015.

Differentiating itself from Deepwater Atlas, Deepwater Titan is the world’s first dual-derrick drillship delivered with two 20,000-psi blowout preventers (BOPs), well-control, riser, and piping systems for high-pressure and high-temperature drilling and completion operations. Both are equipped with three-million-pound hook-load hoisting capacity and capabilities to drill up to 40,000 feet and operate in water depths of up to 12,000 feet.

The drillships are designed for enhanced safety, efficiency and sustainability, incorporating “greener” features for energy efficiency, fuel optimization and reduced emissions.

Deepwater Titan is owned by Transocean’s subsidiary Triton Titan GmBH and is scheduled for deployment on a five-year contract in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

“We are elated to mark yet another major milestone with the delivery of Sembcorp Marine’s second newbuild ultra-deepwater drillship, Deepwater Titan, to Transocean,” says William Gu, Sembcorp Marine’s Head of Rigs and Floaters. “The most advanced of their kind in the industry, both drillships – constructed based on the Group’s proprietary Jurong Espadon 3T design – represent the next-generation of ultra-deepwater assets with breakthrough capabilities, including a three-million-pound hook-load capacity, and greener features that set new benchmarks for the industry.”

“The landmark delivery of the world’s second 8th-generation ultra-deepwater drillship, Deepwater Titan, and first with 20,000-psi BOPs, to Transocean attests to Sembcorp Marine’s demonstrated expertise in providing innovative and differentiated drillship solutions for the offshore industry,” adds Wong Weng Sun, Sembcorp Marine President & CEO. “We are heartened that our close collaboration with Transocean has culminated in the successful completion of two game-changing drillships that are charting new frontiers and redefining standards for the future of offshore drilling.”

Transocean ordered Deepwater Atlas and Deepwater Titan in 2014 for $1.24 billion, with deliveries originally planned in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Delivery was delayed in 2016 following the crash of the offshore drilling market. In 2021, Transocean reached an agreement with Sembmarine on the delayed delivery and deferred payments of the drillships.