Ocean Rig’s ‘Eirik Raude’ to Drill Off Falkland Islands

Ocean Rig UDW Inc., a global provider of offshore deepwater drilling services, has announced that it has signed a drilling contract for one of its semi-submersible drilling rigs, the Eirik Raude.

The drilling contract is for a minimum six-well program, with an estimated duration of about 260 days, for drilling offshore the Falkland Islands, with an estimated backlog of approximately $165 million.

The rig is scheduled to start this contract in the first quarter of 2015.

The Eirik Raude was completed in 2002. The hull was constructed at Dalian New Shipyard China and outfitted at Friede Goldman Offshore USA and in Canada by Irving Shipyard Halifax.

The rig is currently equipped for drilling operations in water depths from 500 meters (1640 feet) to 2500 meters (8200 feet).  Eirik Raude has operated successfully in harsh environment and benign areas.

The rig is a harsh environment design and has superior motion characteristics. The rig is Dynamic Positioned, DP Class 3.