Valaris, the offshore drilling contractor, has announced the commencement of TotalEnergies' drilling campaign offshore Angola with one of its drillships, Valaris DS-12. The company secured a 100-day contract with a TotalEnergies affiliate for the drillship in March 2023, and the campaign officially began in the second quarter of the same year.

The Valaris DS-12 drillship, measuring 780 feet in length, was constructed at the DSME Okpo shipyard in Geoje, South Korea, and can accommodate up to 200 personnel. With a maximum operating water depth of 12,000 feet and a maximum drilling depth of 40,000 feet, the drillship is well-equipped for deepwater drilling activities.

According to Joe Mayo, Rig Manager, the drilling team has already demonstrated exceptional performance, running the Blowout Preventer (BOP) at an average rate of 5-6 joints per hour. Mayo attributes this success to the team's strong collaboration with the customer and their unwavering commitment to excellence onboard the rig.

Benjamin Weant, OIM (Offshore Installation Manager), also commended the entire team for achieving a safe and successful start-up and spud for TotalEnergies Angola. He acknowledged the extensive planning, coordination, and hard work that contributed to reaching this milestone.

After concluding its contract with TotalEnergies in October 2023, the Valaris DS-12 drillship is scheduled to move to Egypt in December 2023 for its next assignment with BP, expected to continue until November 2024.

Valaris has been proactive in securing additional contracts for its rig fleet, with two floaters and two jack-ups recently confirmed for operations in West Africa, the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and Australia. As the offshore drilling industry continues to rebound, Valaris is positioning itself to meet the growing demand for its services while ensuring a safe and efficient drilling experience.