Rig: Valaris 8501

Noble announces dry well at Madison prospect

Noble Energy has announced that it failed to discover any commercial hydrocarbons at its Madison prospect well in the US Gulf of Mexico. The well which was drilled to a total depth of 16,859 feet on Mississippi Canyon 479 has now been plugged and abandoned and the ENSCO 8501 drilling rig has been released. Noble spud the well in mid-October and had the ENSCO 8501 chartered at a rate around USD352,000 a day.

Keppel FELS delivers 2nd 8500 Series® semi to Ensco

Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS) has delivered ENSCO 8501, the second of seven ENSCO 8500 Series® ultra-deepwater semisubmersibles (semis) being built for a subsidiary of longtime customer, Ensco International Incorporated (NYSE:ESV) (Ensco). ENSCO 8501 is contracted for operations in the Gulf of Mexico over a period of 3 1/2 years. Keppel FELS delivered the first deepwater rig of this Series, ENSCO 8500, in September 2008.

Keppel FELS secures repeat ultra-deepwater semisubmersible order from ENSCO

Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS) has secured a repeat order for an ultra-deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig from a wholly-owned subsidiary of ENSCO International Incorporated (ENSCO). The total project value is approximately US$338 million. The semi is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter 2009. To be named ENSCO 8501, this rig is similar to the first semi, ENSCO 8500, which ENSCO ordered with Keppel FELS in September 2005. Both semis will have the capability of drilling in water depths of up to 8,500 ft, and can be readily upgraded to 10,000 ft water-depth if required. Each rig is fitted with a DPS2 dynamic positioning system, eight 2600KW thrusters and a single conventional drilling derrick system, with accommodation for up to 150 persons.