Maersk Drilling has secured a contract extension with Shell for a 7th generation drillship, to carry out additional drilling services in the United States Gulf of Mexico once it concludes current works.
Maersk said the contract extension is expected to commence in April 2023 for a six-month duration and is valued at US$77 million, excluding integrated services expected to be provided and potential performance bonuses.
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Both Shell and Maersk amended the options included in the contract so that it now contains opportunities to add up to 18 months of additional drilling work.
According to energy consulting company Wood Mackenzie, Shell is putting the finishing touches on Vito, its 13th major offshore project in the Gulf, which has an estimated US$3 billion cost.
Maersk and Shell also agreed to implement the “RigFlow” solution delivered by Maersk subsidiary Horizon56, for the drilling campaign.
RigFlow supports a strong operational performance by standardising and digitalising the core workflows involved in well construction, including real-time exchange of information between onshore planning units, offshore drilling teams, and the service companies supporting the operations.
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Maersk Voyager is a high-spec ultra-deepwater drillship which was delivered in 2014 featuring dual derrick and large subsea work and storage areas, the design allows for efficient well construction and field development activities through parallel and offline activities. The rig’s day rate is US$295,000, according to Maersk Drilling’s fleet status report.
It is currently mobilising for a drilling campaign offshore Suriname with Shell.
