Seadrill Secures New Drilling Contracts in U.S. Gulf
Seadrill, a leading offshore drilling contractor, has recently announced new drilling assignments for two of its drillships in the U.S. Gulf region. The company has entered into contracts with U.S.-based oil and gas players, Talos Energy and Murphy Oil, further solidifying its presence in the offshore drilling market.
Talos Energy Contract for West Vela Drillship
Seadrill has secured a two-well contract with Talos Energy for its 2013-built West Vela drillship. The contract is estimated to last for 90 days and is set to commence in mid-November 2025. The West Vela drillship boasts impressive capabilities, with a maximum drilling depth of 37,500 feet and the ability to operate in water depths of up to 12,000 feet.
Murphy Oil Contract for Sevan Louisiana Drillship
Additionally, Seadrill has inked a three-well contract with Murphy Oil for its 2013-built Sevan Louisiana drillship. The contract started in August 2025 and is expected to continue until November 2025. The Sevan Louisiana drillship is equipped to work in water depths of 10,000 feet and can drill to a maximum depth of 35,000 feet.
With these new contracts, Seadrill’s order backlog stands at approximately $2.5 billion as of August 6, 2025. While this figure is slightly lower than the $2.8 billion backlog reported in May 2025, the company remains optimistic about its future prospects in the offshore drilling market.
CEO Simon Johnson’s Comments
Seadrill’s President and CEO, Simon Johnson, expressed his satisfaction with the new contracts, stating, “We are pleased that the active customer dialogues referenced in the prior quarter are converting into new contracts.” Johnson highlighted the exceptional performance of the West Vela drillship and the expanded customer base resulting from the Sevan Louisiana contract award.
Looking ahead, Johnson added, “We expect material progress on additional fixtures in the near future. With our disciplined approach to contracting, robust balance sheet, and relentless focus on setting the standard in our operations, we remain confident in delivering long-term shareholder value as the market improves.”