Rig contractors close to three-year ONGC deals

Three leading international drilling contractors are poised to win three-year, deep-water rig contracts from India’s Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for its flagship Block KG-DWN-98/2 development off the country’s east coast.

ONGC requires two 1500-metre, dynamically positioned drillships or semi-submersibles in one category and a single anchor-moored rig capable of drilling in 600 metres of water in the second.

London-headquartered giant Seadrill and Singapore’s Vantage Drilling are expected to win three-year rig charter contracts in the 1500-metre category, while Brazil’s Queiroz Galvao Oil & Gas (QGOG) is likely to win a three-year rig contract in the 600-metre category, sources said.

Seadrill