Offshore drilling contractor Seadrill has secured a series of new contracts and extensions for three of its rigs, strengthening its backlog across the US Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and Angola.
The awards cover the West Neptune, Sevan Louisiana, and Sonangol Quenguela rigs, with work scheduled to roll directly on from existing campaigns, helping the company avoid idle time in a competitive market.
US Gulf of Mexico Awards
Seadrill confirmed that LLOG Exploration has awarded a four-month contract to the West Neptune drillship for operations in the US Gulf of Mexico. The new assignment is set to begin immediately after the rig completes its current programme and is expected to add approximately $48 million to Seadrill’s backlog.
Meanwhile, the Sevan Louisiana rig has secured a two-month drilling contract with an undisclosed operator, also in the US Gulf. This programme will follow directly after the rig’s current work with Walter Oil and Gas.
Seadrill noted that the campaign will mark the first deployment of Trendsetter well-intervention equipment in the region, highlighting ongoing technical innovation in Gulf of Mexico operations.
Angola Contract Extension
In Angola, Seadrill announced that a five-well option has been exercised for the Sonangol Quenguela rig, extending its operations by around ten months. The extension keeps the rig working in Angola until February 2027, further strengthening Seadrill’s long-term regional presence.
Building Backlog and Continuity
Commenting on the awards, Seadrill President and CEO Simon Johnson said the contracts demonstrate the company’s ability to secure follow-on work efficiently.
“These awards reflect Seadrill’s ability to contract preferentially in direct continuation to current contracts and avoid costly white space in a challenging market phase,” Johnson said.
“We continue to build backlog into 2026 and beyond, deepening long-standing partnerships with existing and repeat customers.”
Continued Momentum in Angola
The latest Angola extension follows additional progress earlier this year. In August, Seadrill announced that Sonadrill Holding, its 50:50 joint venture with an affiliate of Sonangol, had secured two new contracts in the country.
Those contracts involve the drillships West Gemini and Sonangol Libongos, further reinforcing Seadrill’s position in one of West Africa’s most active offshore drilling markets.