Atwood Beacon jackup to leave Israel for Italy

On June 5, Houston-based Atwood Oceanics Inc. announced a new drilling services contract with Eni S.p.A. for the Atwood Beacon. The independent leg cantilever jackup rig is currently working offshore Israel but will finish by July 2013. The rig will then move to Italy under the new contract for 2 years plus a 1-year optional period, exercisable with one-year notice from the expiry of the firm period..

This contract adds $128 million in revenue backlog, said Atwood Oceanics. The global offshore drilling contractor owns 13 mobile offshore drilling units and is building three ultradeepwater drillships.