Search
Close this search box

Seadrill Secures PTTEP Malaysia Drillship Work as Fleet Backlog Expands

PTTEP contracted Seadrill drillship West Capella for a 440-day Malaysia program starting in 2Q 2026, alongside multiple drillship extensions and a West Elara North Sea P&A campaign update.
Photo credit: Samsung Heavy Industries

SHARE ARTICLE

PTTEP has hired Seadrill’s drillship West Capella for a 440-day campaign offshore Malaysia, scheduled to begin in 2Q 2026, as outlined in Seadrill’s latest quarterly results statement.

In the same update, Seadrill said deepwater demand is improving as customers shift toward longer-term programs, with tightening supply and the repricing of legacy contracts supporting stronger visibility into 2026 and momentum into 2027.

Across the drillship fleet, Seadrill also highlighted multiple contract extensions and new awards. The drillship West Saturn secured a one-year extension for Equinor offshore Brazil, with the continuation taking effect in October 2026, and an estimated value of $114 million. The drillship West Neptune received a 120-day contract valued at $48 million from LLOG for operations in the US Gulf of Mexico, expected to start in May 2026 in direct continuation of its current program. The drillship West Carina extended its Brazil program through April 2026, while Sonangol Quenguela is now working for TotalEnergies in Angola through February 2027 following an extension. An unnamed operator also contracted the semisubmersible Sevan Louisiana for two months starting in March 2026 in the US Gulf.

Separately, the jackup West Elara is set to provide accommodation services for Equinor offshore Norway and, from 3Q 2026, will be made available under an agreement with the current contract holder. TotalEnergies also received authorization from the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil) for permanent plug and abandonment operations on the Atla, Byggve and Skirne wells in the North Sea, with West Elara assigned to manage the campaign.

Editorial Note:
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools to enhance clarity and efficiency.
All information has been reviewed and verified by the HMT News editor.
Odfjell Drilling says Hercules has secured a new drilling contract for offshore Canada, with the company continuing as rig manager on behalf of SFL Corporation Ltd. The campaign is scheduled to start in Q1 2027.
Petrobras controls 36 of Brazil’s 49 offshore rigs, while Westwood Global Energy Group data point to 5,472 minimum rig days of demand through 2029.
SFL Corporation has secured a new Canada drilling contract for the Hercules semi-submersible. The deal is worth about $170 million and covers a minimum 400-day term from Q1 2027.

Subscribe to HMT WEEKLY

Receive HMT WEEKLY in your mailbox.

Heavy Marine Transport News, Delivered Daily — Stay informed on shipping, offshore, and global logistics.

SECTION

INFORMATION

CONTACT

For general inquiries and to contact us,
please email: info@hmt-news.com