Two deals for ultra-deepwater drillships add $260M to Seadrill’s backlog

April 22, 2026, by Nadja Skopljak

Bermuda-headquartered offshore drilling contractor Seadrill and U.S.-headquartered LLOG Exploration Company (LLOG), a subsidiary of London-listed oil & gas company Harbour Energy, have expanded their more than decade-long collaboration with contract awards for two ultra-deepwater drillships.

West Neptune drillship; Source: Seadrill

The West Neptune drillship was awarded a 365-day contract extension, with operations to begin in September, while West Vela was awarded a program with a duration of 270 days, with an expected commencement in August, for deployment in the U.S. Gulf.

According to Seadrill, the contracts add approximately $260 million to its backlog.

“We are pleased to extend our working relationship with LLOG, building on more than a decade of productive collaboration and shared success. The strong operational performance delivered by the West Vela and West Neptune teams continues to help us win follow-on work,” said Seadrill’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Samir Ali.

“Securing this backlog enhances revenue visibility and supports free cash flow generation as we navigate near-term softness in the U.S. Gulf. The West Vela and West Neptune are positioned favorably for availability in 2027 as global floater utilization is expected to improve.”

To remind, Seadrill reported in December 2025 that the 2014-built West Neptune secured a contract in the U.S. Gulf with LLOG Exploration for a four-month program.

As for West Vela, the 2013-built drillship was previously tasked with work for Houston-based energy player Talos Energy in the Gulf of America.