Newbuild drilling unit Rowan Relentless is to head for the US Gulf after being contracted by Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas under a US $425 million commitment.

This latest Rowan drillship – the last in a series of four ultra-deepwater units built by the company – will start operating for Freeport-McMoRan in third-quarter 2015.

The Relentless, like the three previous drillships, is based on the same GustoMSC P10000 design, with the capability to drill to a well depth of 12,195 m (40,000 ft) and operate in water depths of up to 3,658 m (12,000 ft). The new Rowan units are DP-3 compliant, and are being fitted with retractable thrusters, seven-ram BOPs, five mud pumps as well as dual mud systems and a maximum hook load capacity of 1,250 tons. All four units are now fixed on long-term contracts.

In May Freeport-McMoRan agreed to buy out Apache Corp.’s deepwater interests in the US Gulf for $1.4 billion, including the Lucius and Heidelberg developments plus 11 exploration leases with estimated proved, probable and possible reserves of 55 MM boe which includes the Lucius offset area, Capri and Silver Fox and Parmer exploration assets (see related story on page 12). With the closure of the deal FM acquired Apache’s 11.7% in Lucius and 12.5% in Heidelberg, leaving FM with 35% equity in Lucius which is due onstream in the second half of this year. Heidelberg, operated by Anadarko, is due onstream in 2016.

FM has identified 2014 drilling targets in the US Gulf at Tara, Copper, with others including Puma and Parmer south of the Holstein field area, and Capri in the Keathley Canyon area.

Offshore