According to Seadrill, the 12,000-ft drillship West Vela has been awarded two new drilling contracts in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, adding over four months of firm term and securing the rig’s schedule into the second half of 2026.

In its Q3 2025 report released on 5 November 2025, Seadrill confirmed that the West Vela received a one-well contract from Walter Oil & Gas Corporation in the U.S. Gulf. The agreement has an estimated duration of 65 days and is set to commence in the first quarter of 2026, directly following the rig’s ongoing program with Talos Energy. The contract value at signing was about $28 million, excluding Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) services.

The company also announced that the West Vela secured a further one-well contract with Talos Energy, also in the U.S. Gulf. The work scope is estimated at 60 days and is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026, in direct continuation of the Walter Oil & Gas program. The contract value at signing was around $26 million, excluding MPD.

Taken together, the two awards add more than four months of firm term and keep the West Vela operating into the second half of 2026 under consecutive drilling campaigns.