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Stena Drilling has received a 7th generation drillship for ultra-deepwater drilling from the Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard.
Offshore drilling company Stena Drilling has acquired its new drillship deepwater, Stena Evolution, from Samsung Heavy Industries. After years of waiting, the drilling vessel is finally ready to begin operations.
The technologically advanced drillship is capable of operating in water depths of up to 12.000 feet (about 3.500 meters) and drilling depths of up to 40.000 feet (more than 12.000 meters). This drilling vessel is an important milestone for Stena Drilling and its ability to conduct ultra-deepwater operations.
Drilling Unit Updates with In-Hull Riser Storage
The drilling unit utilizes in-hull riser storage to provide ample deck space with a VDL of 24.000 MT.
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Drillship: Lead Candidate for 20.000 PSI Well Operations
Additionally, the vessel is a leading candidate for upgrade to 20.000 psi well operations, according to Stena Drilling.
Delivery of the Unit at the Samsung Heavy Industries Shipyard
Stena Drilling took delivery of the unit at the Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard on Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
Drillship Departure Schedule from South Korea
The drillship is scheduled to leave South Korea on Friday, January 19, for its first mission with Shell in the Gulf of Mexico, via Singapore and South Africa.
Long-Term Agreement for Stena Evolution
In 2023, Shell and Stena Drilling will agree a scope of work long-term contract for Stena Evolution, for a primary period of 5 years, and with the option to extend the contract upon completion.
CEO of Stena Drilling Confirms Start of Operations with Shell
Erik Ronsberg, CEO of Stena Drilling confirmed that the drilling unit is expected to begin operations with Shell in April.
Drillship History and Recent Acquisitions
To recall, the drillship was originally ordered by Ocean Rig in 2014. After agreeing to delays in delivery of newly built rigs with Samsung in 2016, the drilling company was then purchased by Transocean in 2018, which later canceled orders for two drillships originally submitted by Ocean Rig – the Ocean Rig Santorini and the Ocean Rig Crete. The first of the two drillships was acquired by Saipem in 2022, following a charter agreement with Samsung Heavy Industries with an option to purchase that was signed in 2021. In December of the same year, Stena Drilling signed an option to purchase agreement with Samsung Heavy Industries also for the Ocean Rig Crete drillship, which was later renamed Stena Evolution.
Stena Drilling Fleet and Current Activities
Stena Drilling's fleet currently consists of five drillships (Stena Evolution, Stena Carron, Stena Drillmax, Stena Forth and Stena Icemax) and two semi-submersible drilling rigs (Stena Don and Stena Spey).
