ExxonMobil Guyana has secured the Noble Developer semi-submersible rig for a one-well contract in the Stabroek Block, marking a strategic expansion into shallow-water exploration. The agreement, set to commence in early 2027 at a day rate of $375,000, targets a prospect that the operator noted cannot be serviced by its existing deepwater fleet. While the specific prospect remains unnamed and the targeted hydrocarbon type unspecified, the deployment underscores a diversification of drilling activity within the prolific offshore block.

The Noble Developer is a sixth-generation, ABS-classified vessel constructed in 2008 by KFELS in Singapore. Although designed for ultra-deepwater environments, boasting a maximum water depth capability of 10,000 feet and a drilling depth of 40,000 feet, its technical specifications make it a versatile asset for the upcoming campaign. The rig utilizes a DP2+ dynamic positioning system powered by eight Wärtsila thrusters, allowing for precise station-keeping without the need for traditional anchoring systems.

 

Noble Developer

 

Spanning 384 feet in length and 256 feet in breadth, the unit maintains an operating draft of 67.3 feet and can accommodate a crew of up to 180 personnel. Its industrial capacity is defined by a variable deck load of 22,960 kips and a high-capacity drilling configuration, including a main hoist hook load of 2,000 kips. To ensure operational integrity in variable sea conditions, the rig is outfitted with motion and active heave compensation technology, alongside a 6-ram GE Hydril blowout preventer rated to 15,000 psi.

Supporting its primary drilling functions, the vessel features automated pipe handling, subsea tree handling capabilities for infrastructure installation, and a comprehensive solids control system to manage continuous mud and material circulation. The arrival of the Noble Developer will bolster Noble Corporation’s significant presence in the region, joining its sister vessels, the Noble Sam Croft, Noble Don Taylor, Noble Tom Madden, and Noble Bob Douglas, currently operating under the ExxonMobil banner in Guyanese waters.

Noble Corp recently announced that it booked approximately $565 million in new contract value since its January 2026 fleet status report, with backlog standing at $7.5 billion as of 27 April 2026. The new contracts were located in Guyana, Brazil, Australia, Ghana and the US Gulf.