The company is keeping the identity of the “new market entrant” as well as the nature of the rig concept firmly under wraps, with chief executive Carl Lieungh characterising it only as “a speculative project” at this stage.
Cosco Qidong has previously delivered three ultra-deepwater drilling units for Seadrill-owned Sevan Drilling, a former offshoot of Sevan Marine, while delivery of a further similar newbuild, Sevan Developer, remains delayed at the yard due to a market slump.
