Total contracts ENSCO 8504 ultra-deepwater semi for Brunei

An Ensco subsidiary has entered into a drilling contract for the ENSCO 8504 semisubmersible with Total E&P Deep Offshore Borneo. The rig is expected to be delivered from the Keppel FELS yard in Singapore by the end of July this year, and the contract commencement will follow sea trials and mobilization to Brunei.

The initial contract term is to drill three exploration wells for a minimum of 180 days. Total may extend the term by exercising up to four options. The first two options may be exercised to complete up to three additional wells at the same dayrate. The third and fourth options may be exercised to complete up to six additional wells at an escalated dayrate.

“We are very pleased that Total has chosen ENSCO 8504 for its drilling program. Our ENSCO 108 jackup drilling rig currently is working for Total in Brunei, and we appreciate the opportunity to expand our relationship with our latest 8500 Series rig. Brunei is an emerging deepwater basin, and we look forward to entering this market with one of our deepwater rigs for the first time,” Dan Rabun, chairman, president and CEO for Ensco, said.

When ENSCO 8504 commences operations later this year, it will become the sixth ultra-deepwater rig in the company’s active fleet. Ensco’s other deepwater rigs are contracted in Brazil, the US Gulf of Mexico and French Guiana. Two additional ENSCO 8500 Series rigs have deliveries scheduled for the first and second half of next year.