Transocean drillship moving from Africa to Australia for its new 320-day job

December 9, 2025, by Melisa Cavcic

Switzerland-based offshore drilling contractor Transocean has landed a new multimillion-dollar assignment with an undisclosed oil and gas operator for one of its drillships off the coast of Australia.

Transocean Deepwater Skyros drillship (former Ocean Rig Skyros); Source: Egon Stefanic

While revealing the execution of a six-well contract in Australia with an unnamed operator for the 2013-built Deepwater Skyros drillship, Transocean explains that the estimated 320-day campaign is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027.

This drilling program is anticipated to contribute approximately $130 million in backlog, excluding compensation for mobilization and demobilization. The award includes priced options that, if fully exercised, could keep the drillship working in Australia into early 2030.

Currently, this rig, which was deployed in Angola earlier this year, is busy with work in Africa, where it is working for Murphy in Ivory Coast.

With a maximum drilling depth of 40,000 feet, the Deepwater Skyros Samsung 12000 drillship can accommodate 215 people and carry out activities in water depths up to 12,000 feet.

This drilling gig comes shortly after Transocean secured more work for one drillship and two semi-submersible rigs in Brazil, Norway, and Romania.