Offshore drilling company, Atwood Oceanics has received a drilling services contract from BHP Billiton Petroleum for the semisubmersible rig Atwood Falcon.

Work under the contract, which is for a term of 330 days, will be carried out offshore Australia at a day rate of approximately $430,000 in direct continuation with the rig’s contracted drilling programs.

BHP Billiton can further extend the contract for two option periods of approximately 120 days each at the same day rate, as part of the contract.

Contract is expected to start in direct continuation of present operations.

Atwood Oceanics is engaged in the drilling and completion of exploration and development wells for the global oil and gas industry.

Currently, the company currently operates 12 mobile offshore drilling units and is constructing three ultra-deepwater drillships.