Diamond Offshore to build semi with Ocean Voyager hull

A Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc. subsidiary signed a contract with Keppel AmFELS shipyard in Brownsville, Tex., to build a moored semisubmersible drilling rig using an existing hull.

Paula Dittrick

Jan. 10, 2012

A Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc. subsidiary signed a contract with Keppel AmFELS shipyard in Brownsville, Tex., to build a moored semisubmersible drilling rig using an existing hull.

Total cost is expected to be $300 million. Delivery is scheduled for third-quarter 2013.

Larry Dickerson, Diamond Offshore president and chief executive officer, said the Ocean Onyx will be built from a Diamond Offshore cold-stacked unit, which operated as the Ocean Voyager.

Dickerson expects the Ocean Onyx can be placed into service in half the time and at half the cost of a newbuild semi.

The Ocean Onyx will be designed to operate in 6,000 ft of water. It will have a variable deck load of 5,000 long tons, a five-ram blowout preventer, and housing for 140 people.

About the Author

Paula Dittrick

Senior Staff Writer

Paula Dittrick has covered oil and gas from Houston for more than 20 years. Starting in May 2007, she developed a health, safety, and environment beat for Oil & Gas Journal. Dittrick is familiar with the industry’s financial aspects. She also monitors issues associated with carbon sequestration and renewable energy.

Dittrick joined OGJ in February 2001. Previously, she worked for Dow Jones and United Press International. She began writing about oil and gas as UPI’s West Texas bureau chief during the 1980s. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska in 1974.