Switzerland-based drilling contractor Transocean has secured a high-value six-well drilling contract offshore Australia with an unnamed oil and gas company for its drillship Deepwater Skyros. The 2013-built unit is scheduled to begin work in the first quarter of 2027, with the campaign expected to last about 320 days.

Transocean said the Australian programme is expected to add around $130 million to its backlog, excluding any payments related to mobilising or demobilising the rig. The award also includes priced options which, if fully exercised, could see Deepwater Skyros remain on contract in Australia into early 2030.

For now, the drillship is working off Africa. After being deployed in Angola earlier this year, Deepwater Skyros is currently drilling for Murphy in Ivorian waters.

Built to the Samsung 12000 design, Deepwater Skyros has a rated drilling depth of 40,000 feet. The ultra-deepwater unit is capable of operating in water depths up to 12,000 feet and can accommodate 215 people on board.

This latest award comes shortly after Transocean lined up further work for one drillship and two semi-submersible rigs in Brazil, Norway and Romania.