Drillships News


Saipem Rolls Out AI-Based Maintenance System on Ultra-Deepwater Drillship

Feb 23, 2026

Saipem has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI)-based predictive maintenance system onboard its ultra-deepwater drillship Saipem 12000, aiming to improve operational efficiency and offshore safety.The system uses real-time data and artificial…

Saipem Agrees $272M Deal to Acquire Deep Value Driller Drillship

Feb 17, 2026

Saipem has reached agreement on the main terms and conditions to acquire the seventh-generation drillship Deep Value Driller for $272.5 million.The Deep Value Driller is a high-specification ultra-deepwater drillship built in 2014, featuring GustoMSC P10000 design and able to accommodate 210 people…

Transocean-Valaris Tie-Up to Create $17B Offshore Drilling Major with 73 Rigs

Feb 10, 2026

Offshore drilling contractor Transocean has agreed to acquire Valaris in an all-stock transaction valued at about $5.8 billion, creating one of the world’s largest offshore drilling contractors with a fleet of 73 drilling rigs.The combined company…

Vantage Drilling’s Ultra-Deepwater Drillship Heads to India Under $260M Contract

Feb 10, 2026

Offshore drilling contractor Vantage Drilling has secured a contract with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for its ultra-deepwater drillship Platinum Explorer for operations off India.The binding Notification of Award (NoA) from ONGC comes…

Stena Drilling’s Stena Evolution Drillship Gets DNV’s Emissions Notation

Feb 05, 2026

Stena Drilling’s Stena Evolution drillship has received the Abate (P+) notation from classification society DNV.The Abate (P+) qualifier confirms defined design and control of the vessel’s power generation systems, together with an emission…

Transocean Nets $168M in Two Drilling Rig Contracts

Jan 05, 2026

Offshore drilling contractor Transocean has secured a new contract and an extension for two of its rigs, adding approximately $168 million to its firm backlog.In Brazil, the Deepwater Mykonos was awarded a contract by BP for an estimated 302-day campaign beginning in the third quarter of 2026…

Saipem Extends Charter, Purchase Option for Deep Value Driller Drillship

Dec 29, 2025

Deep Value Driller has agreed with Saipem to extend the bareboat charter for its seventh-generation drillship Deep Value Driller and to prolong the period during which Saipem may exercise an option to buy the vessel.Under the amended agreement…

Saipem Gets DNV Certification for Offshore Asset Lifecycle Management

Dec 19, 2025

Saipem has obtained ISO 55001:2024 certification, the international standard for asset lifecycle management, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards operational excellence and offshore sustainability.The certification, issued by DNV…

Shell Picks Valaris Drillship for Work Offshore Brazil

Dec 12, 2025

Offshore drilling contractor Valaris has secured a multi-year contract with Shell for its VALARIS DS-8 drillship, which will be put to work offshore Brazil.The contract is expected to start in the first quarter of 2027, with an estimated duration of approximately 800 days…

Petrobras Targets Start of Foz do Amazonas Production Within Seven Years

Oct 22, 2025

Brazilian state-run oil company Petrobras' could start oil and gas production in the Foz do Amazonas basin within seven years if large reserves are confirmed, the company's Chief Executive Magda Chambriard told Reuters on Tuesday.Brazil's environmental…

Saipem Scoops $135M in New Drilling Rig Contracts and Extensions

Oct 22, 2025

Saipem has strengthened its offshore drilling order intake with new contract awards and extensions worth a total amount of approximately $135 million, further reinforcing its presence in key strategic areas such as West Africa, the Mediterranean…

Sanctions Force Vantage Drilling to End Platinum Explorer Contract

Oct 20, 2025

Offshore drilling contractor Vantage Drilling has announced the termination of the contract for its ultra-deepwater drillship Platinum Explorer.The termination, with immediate effect, is for the 260-day campaign the Platinum Explorer drillship was hired earlier in 2025…

Seadrill Adopts igus’ Modular Energy Chains to Cut Offshore Downtime and Costs

Oct 16, 2025

The igus e-loop replaced traditional service loops being installed on Seadrill’s West Polaris drillship (Credit: Supplied by igus)A modular cable management system, designed by German-based supplier igus, has been implemented by offshore driller Seadrill to reduce downtime…

Valaris Drillship to Return to Egypt Under New $140M Contract with BP

Oct 13, 2025

Offshore drilling contractor Valaris has secured a five-well contract with BP’s subsidiary BP Exploration Delta for VALARIS DS-12 drillship in Egypt.The contract is expected to begin in the second quarter 2026 and has an estimated duration of 350 days…

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