Offshore drilling contractor Vantage Drilling International has secured a binding notification of award (NOA) from India’s Oil and Natural Gas Company (ONGC) for its drill-ship the Platinum Explorer.
The announcement follows the conclusion of ONGC’s tender for a deep-water drill-ship, resulting in a three-year firm contract with an additional one-year optional period.
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The total estimated value of this contract is $261m, excluding managed pressure drilling (MPD) services.
The agreement stipulates that operations must commence within 180 days following the notification issuance, adhering to the tender’s requirements.
The Platinum Explorer, built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering and classified under Det Norske Veritas standards, entered service in 2010 and sails under the Bahamian flag.
It can accommodate 180 personnel, ensuring ample space for crew and operational staff.
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By GlobalDataThe Platinum Explorer, a sixth-generation ultra-deep-water drill-ship, is equipped with advanced technical specifications designed for efficient drilling operations.
The vessel features a dynamic positioning system, DPS33, supported by GE Converteam technology, and is equipped with six Rolls Royce Ulstein Aquamaster thrusters, each providing 81.8t of thrust.
The drillship’s derrick, constructed by Aker Kvaerner Maritime Hydraulics, boasts a hookload capacity of two million pounds.
The Platinum Explorer is capable of operating at a maximum water depth of 12,000ft and can drill to a depth of 40,000ft.
It is equipped with a variable deck load capacity of 25,000t, which supports extensive drilling operations.
In terms of storage, the vessel can hold 14,911 barrels (bbl) of drill water and 8,630bbl of potable water.
In January 2025, TotalEnergies and Vantage established a joint venture entity, TEVA Ship Charter.
