Exploration in the Caribbean continues to pick up. This week it was announced that Repsol has awarded the drilling contractor Seadrill, for an ultra-deepwater drillship to be used offshore Aruba.
According to a brief from Seadrill, the contract is for the West Capella. The ship has been contracted by Repsol for one exploration well.
The West Capella has a capability of drilling in water depths of 10,000 ft and can drill to 35,500 ft . The ship is currently located in West Africa.
According to Offshore Energy Today, the ship is currently completing work for Repsol in Gabon and will be available in June.
The West Capella is a 6th generation ultra-deepwater drillship built by Samsung Heavy Industries in 2008.
Repsol has been developing the upstream business in Aruba since 2012 and since December 31st, 2016 has mineral rights to one exploration block in Aruba with a net surface area of 4,037 km2.