Equinor Brasil Energia has opted for a one-year contract extension with Seadrill for the ultra-deep-water drill-ship West Saturn.
The extension adds $114m to Seadrill's contract backlog and extends the original agreement, which began in 2022, until October 2027.
Seadrill president and CEO Simon Johnson said: “The continuation of the contract into a sixth consecutive year reinforces our long-term collaboration with Equinor in Brazil, where we have a shared commitment to delivering safe and reliable offshore operations in a strategically important basin.”
The West Saturn is a seventh-generation, ultra-deep-water drill-ship designed for dual activity. It has an operational history in West Africa and Brazil.
Built in 2014 by Samsung in South Korea, the drillship features a Samsung 12,000 design.
It is registered under the Panamanian flag and classed by ABS.
The vessel's dimensions are 748ft in length and 137ft in width, with a draft of 27.9ft during transit and 39.4ft while operating.
The West Saturn can accommodate up to 200 personnel and is equipped with a helideck capable of supporting Sikorsky S92 and MIL-Mi-8 helicopters, with a maximum capacity of 14.3 short tonnes.
The drillship can operate at a maximum water depth of 12,000ft and has a maximum drilling depth of 37,500ft.
Recently, Seadrill obtained new contracts for its West Elara jack-up rig, and the West Carina and West Capella drill-ships.
The West Capella will commence operations in Malaysia under a contract with an unnamed operator, starting in the second quarter of 2026 (Q2 2026).
Meanwhile, in Norway, Equinor has awarded the West Elara an accommodation contract on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, which is set to begin in Q3 2026 and end in Q4 2027.
Additionally, the operational period for the West Carina in Brazil has been extended until April 2026, continuing Seadrill’s activities in the area.
In August 2025, the company said its 50-50 Sonangol-affiliate joint venture, Sonadrill Holding, had won two Angola contracts for the West Gemini and Sonangol Libongos drill-ships.
