ENSCO DS-10 Reflects Robust Customer Demand
Fleet Standardization
Remains a Key Strategy
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Ensco
plc (NYSE: ESV) has ordered an additional advanced-capability DP3
ultra-deepwater drillship based on the Samsung GF12000 hull design. The
vessel, ENSCO DS-10, will be the eighth Samsung DP3 drillship in the
Ensco fleet, further extending the benefits of Ensco’s fleet
standardization strategy. It will be built at the Samsung Heavy
Industries, Co. Ltd. (SHI) shipyard in South Korea, with delivery
scheduled for the third quarter of 2015. The agreement includes an
option for an additional drillship of the same design.
ENSCO DS-8 and ENSCO DS-9, also based on the GF12000 hull design, are
scheduled for delivery in 2014. Ensco is currently the only drilling
contractor offering the advanced features of the GF12000 hull design.
Ensco Chairman, President and CEO Dan Rabun said, “We continue to see
very strong demand for rigs in existing deepwater markets, along with
growing demand from emerging exploration areas. Operators are also
showing high interest in this iteration of the Samsung DP3 drillship,
due to its advanced design and capabilities that improve drilling
productivity and fuel efficiency – two key factors that affect the
operator’s project costs."
“We have a track record of providing rigs that allow our customers to
improve performance and operate efficiently, and the advances on these
most recent drillship orders are again all about helping our customers
succeed,” Rabun added. “Our strategy of fleet standardization further
benefits our customers by providing consistency in systems and
operational excellence.”
Including commissioning, systems integration testing, project management
and tubulars, the construction cost is expected to be approximately $625
million.
Measuring 755 feet in length and 125 feet in width, ENSCO DS-10 will
offer a 1,250-ton hoisting system with enhanced offline capability. Like
ENSCO DS-8 and ENSCO DS-9, the new unit will have advanced capabilities
to meet the demands of ultra-deepwater drilling in water depths of up to
12,000 feet and a total vertical drilling depth of 40,000 feet. It will
be initially outfitted to work in water depths up to 10,000 feet.
Features include: retractable thrusters; enhanced safety and
environmental features; improved dynamic positioning capabilities; and
advanced drilling and completion functionality, including
below-main-deck riser storage, triple fluid systems and offline
conditioning capability. The drillship also incorporates enhanced client
and third-party facilities with living quarters for up to 200 personnel.
A 165-ton active heave compensating construction crane allows for
deployment of subsea production equipment without interference with
ongoing drilling operations. ENSCO DS-10 includes a 15,000-psi subsea
well control system with seven rams and can accommodate a second BOP
stack.
Ensco’s four active DP3 drillships are currently working in the U.S.
Gulf of Mexico, Brazil and West Africa. Three are contracted into 2016
and the fourth is contracted into 2018. A fifth drillship, ENSCO DS-7,
scheduled for delivery later in 2013, is contracted to Total into 2016.
Ensco plc (NYSE: ESV) brings energy to the world as a global provider of
offshore drilling services to the petroleum industry. For more than 25
years, the company has focused on operating safely and exceeding
customer expectations. Ensco is ranked #1 for total customer
satisfaction, with top honors in 10 of 16 categories in the most recent
annual survey by EnergyPoint Research. Operating the world’s newest
ultra-deepwater fleet and largest fleet of active premium jackups, Ensco
has a major presence in the most strategic offshore basins across six
continents. Ensco plc is an English limited company (England No.
7023598) with its registered office and corporate headquarters located
at 6 Chesterfield Gardens, London W1J 5BQ.
Statements contained in this press release that are not historical
facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A
of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include words or phrases such as
“anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,”
“project,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “will,” “scheduled” and
similar words and specifically include statements regarding the timing
of delivery, mobilization, contract commencement, relocation or other
movement of rigs. Such statements are subject to numerous risks,
uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to vary
materially from those indicated, including risks inherent to shipyard
rig construction. In addition to the numerous factors described
above, you should also carefully read and consider “Item 1A. Risk
Factors” in Part I and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II of our most
recent annual report on Form 10-K, which is available on the SEC’s
website at www.sec.gov
or on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.enscoplc.com.
Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the
particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update
or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Source: Ensco plc