Transocean Inc. announced that a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell (Shell) has awarded a two-
year contract extension for the company's Fifth-Generation moored semi-submersible rig Deepwater Nautilus. The two-year contract extension is expected to commence in December 2006, in direct continuation of the rig's current contract. Revenues of approximately $310 million could be generated over the two-year extension period, excluding revenues for mobilization, demobilization and client reimbursables.
The Deepwater Nautilus is currently operating for Shell Exploration and Production in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and is expected to continue drilling operations for the remainder of 2005 and into 2006 before requiring an estimated 60 days of out-of-service time during 2006 to complete repairs of all remaining storm-related damage, which pertains mainly to the rig's mooring system. The rig, which entered service in 2000 following its construction in Ulsan, South Korea, is capable of operating in water depths of up to 8,000 ft.