The delivery dates of two ultra-deepwater newbuild drillships have been delayed by two years, Transocean said in its latest monthly fleet update summary.

They will be delivered in Q2 2019 and Q2 2020, respectively, the company added.

The delivery dates were delayed after the company amended its construction contracts with Sembcorp Marine's subsidiary, Jurong Shipyard.

The GSF Monarch and Transocean Spitsbergen are idle. The Spitsbergen's well programme concluded 45 days early due to efficient rig performance; under the contract, the company is paid if there is early termination, Transocean added. The GSF C.R. Luigs is stacked, having previously been idle.

Transocean also said that Transocean Andaman’s offshore Thailand contract was extended for one year; the Deepwater Champion received a three-month contract extension for work in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico; GSF Galaxy II received a one-well contract extension in the U.K. North Sea; and the Sedco Express received a 45-day contract offshore Nigeria.

The total value of new contracts since the last report is about $109mn.

GSF Celtic Sea and Transocean Amirante are held for sale. Switzerland-based Transocean plans to scrap 20 floaters, and will recycle Amirante and either sell or recycle Celtic Sea.

Offshore