Diamond Offshore Drilling, an offshore drilling contractor, is making final preparations and conducting a special periodic survey (SPS) in Singapore for its semi-submersible rig, the Ocean Apex. The rig is undergoing upgrades before commencing its new drilling assignments in Australia, with the first job scheduled to begin next month.

Several drilling campaigns in Australia are lined up for the Ocean Apex rig, including assignments with Woodside, Chevron, Inpex, and Santos. The rig is expected to work for Woodside from the third quarter of 2023 until the fourth quarter of 2023. It will then transition to Chevron's assignment in the first quarter of 2024 until the third quarter of 2024. Finally, the rig is scheduled to start working for Inpex in the first quarter of 2024 until the second quarter of 2025.

In preparation for these upcoming drilling campaigns, Diamond Offshore visited the crew during the rig's special periodic survey at the Seatrium shipyard in Singapore. Amy Roddy, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Diamond Offshore, traveled from Houston to provide updates on the company, industry insights, and an HR roadmap for 2023 to the shorebase team in Perth and the crew onboard the Ocean Apex rig.

Diamond Offshore expressed pride in the work being done in the region and emphasized the rig's multiple contracts, which will extend into the second quarter of 2025 upon its return to Australia in August.

Last week, Woodside Energy and its partners gathered to discuss the upcoming two-well campaign in Australia. Safety and environmental commitments were outlined, and expectations for the drilling operation were set by Berky Ashcraft and Martin Girschik, Drilling Superintendents at Woodside Energy. Ben Devlin, Operations Manager of the Ocean Apex, and Natasa Rizmanoska, HSE/QA & Regulatory Compliance Manager, also attended the event. Diamond Offshore believes that this kick-off meeting has further strengthened the alignment between the companies, particularly in terms of safety, chronic unease, and adherence to red zone management.

The Ocean Apex rig boasts impressive specifications, including a maximum hook-load capacity of 1,000 tons, a 15k five-ram preventer, water depth capabilities of up to 6,000 feet, drilling depth capabilities of up to 30,000 feet, a variable deck load of 7,000 long tons, and accommodation for 140 personnel.

Diamond Offshore looks forward to the future success of the Ocean Apex rig as the team embarks on their next drilling campaign, reflecting the company's commitment to delivering high-quality services in the offshore drilling industry.