Anadarko contracts two newbuild drillships

May 18, 2011
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. entered into two drilling contracts with Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc. for two newbuild drillships.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, May 18
-- Anadarko Petroleum Corp. entered into two drilling contracts with Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc. for two newbuild drillships.

Anadarko has contracted each of the dynamically positioned, ultradeepwater drillships, Ocean BlackHawk and Ocean BlackHornet, for 5 years commencing in late 2013 and early 2014, respectively.

Diamond Offshore expects the contracts to generate a maximum of $1.8 billion in revenues, assuming 100% rig utilization.

Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. is preparing to commence construction of the two drillships at its South Korean shipyard.

In addition, Diamond Offshore said it and Anadarko have mutually agreed to dismiss all claims related to the Ocean Monarch semisubmersible drilling rig. Anadarko had sought to cancel the contract on the Ocean Monarch because of force majeure as a result of the US government's imposed moratorium for drilling in the Gulf of Mexico after the Macondo well blowout in April 2010.