Seadrill has secured two new contract awards for its ultra-deepwater drillships, adding about $260 million to its backlog.
The Bermuda-headquartered offshore drilling contractor said the awards were made by LLOG Exploration Company, a subsidiary of Harbour Energy, extending a working relationship that has lasted for more than a decade.
Under the new awards, West Neptune received a 365-day contract extension with operations due to start in September. West Vela secured a 270-day program that is expected to begin in August. Both drillships will be deployed in the U.S. Gulf.
Samir Ali, President and Chief Executive Officer of Seadrill, said the companies were extending a long-standing relationship built on more than 10 years of collaboration. He added that the operating performance of the teams on West Vela and West Neptune supported the award of follow-on work.
Seadrill said the added backlog improves revenue visibility and supports free cash flow generation as the company moves through near-term softness in the U.S. Gulf. The contractor also said West Vela and West Neptune are favorably positioned for availability in 2027, when global floater utilization is expected to improve.
In December 2025, Seadrill said the 2014-built West Neptune had secured a four-month contract with LLOG Exploration in the U.S. Gulf.
The 2013-built West Vela had previously worked for Talos Energy in the Gulf of America.
