Rig operator Ensco plc has ordered two new jackup drilling rigs from Dubai-based Lamprell, and has options for two additional units, exercisable within six months from the effective date of the contract.
The inititial contract is for two high-specification, LeTourneau self-elevating mobile offshore drilling platforms, ENSCO 140 and ENSCO 141.
Both rigs will incorporate Ensco’s patented Canti-Leverage Advantage technology, which provides enhanced hoisting capacity at the farthest reach of the cantilever, and will be enhanced versions of the LeTourneau Super 116E jackup design. Other key features of the rig design include a dual-drilling fluid system, a 1.5 million-lb derrick, TDS-8 top drive and a 15k BOP. The rigs will initially be outfitted to work in water depths to 340ft and may be upgraded to operate in up to 400ft of water. They will be capable of drilling to a maximum total depth of 30,000ft.
The fixed-price contract includes commissioning, systems integration testing and project management, and the total construction cost is estimated to be US$430 million, or $215 million per rig.
Lamprell will fabricate both rigs in its Hamriyah yard, United Arab Emirates. According to the current schedule, the first jackup will be delivered to Ensco Q2 2016, and the second in Q3 2016.
With this new order, London-headquartered Ensco now has eight newbuild rigs under construction: five premium jackups and three ultra-deepwater drillships. Since the beginning of 2010, Ensco has taken delivery of 12 high-performance rigs, including two ENSCO 120 Series ultra-premium harsh environment jackups, five Samsung DP3 ultra-deepwater drillships and five ENSCO 8500 Series ultra-deepwater semisubmersibles. During this same period, Ensco has divested 13 less-capable rigs as part of its continuous high-grading strategy. Proceeds from these sales have been used to fund newbuild orders.
