US drillship option executed in Korea
Alpha Eagle Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of US drilling contractor Atwood Oceanics, has exercised an option with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) for an ultra-deepwater drillship.
The vessel, to be named Atwood Achiever, is expected to be delivered by June 30, 2014 at a total cost, including project management, drilling and handling tools and spares, of about $600 million. Upon delivery, the Atwood Achiever will become the 16th mobile offshore drilling unit owned by the company.
The Atwood Achiever will be identical to the previously ordered Atwood Advantage and will be a DP-3 dual derrick ultra deepwater drillship rated to operate in water depths up to 12,000ft and drill to a depth of 40,000ft.
The Atwood Achiever will have technical capabilities including a 7-ram blowout preventer, three 100ton knuckle boom cranes, a 165ton active heave ‘tree-running’ knuckle boom crane, and 200-person accommodations.
This order comprises the execution of the first option retained by the company. Atwood also secured modifications to the remaining priced option to construct an additional ultra-deepwater drillship, which requires commitment by July 31, 2012, though it has not yet committed to this option.
Rob Saltiel, president and CEO, commented, "We are pleased to execute our option with the DSME shipyard to build the Atwood Achiever and to expand further our high-specification, ultra-deepwater drilling fleet. This rig's state-of-the-art design, coupled with the benefits of identical outfitting to the Atwood Advantage, make it a compelling investment for Atwood Oceanics."
