Ensco DS-7 ultra-deepwater drillship will be used to drill two wells and complete four production wells at the Leviathan field development project.
The contract, which is expected to begin in March 2018, is slated to be completed in December same year.
The deal will also include four one-well priced customer options that could result in the extension of the contract to 2020, if they are fully exercised.
Ensco DS-7 will be upgraded with a second blowout preventer. Combined with the rig’s dual derricks and other technical specifications, the upgrade is expected to make it one of the most capable assets in the global fleet.
Around $10m is expected to be invested to upgrade Ensco DS-7 ultra-deepwater drillship. After the upgrade, it mobilize to theMediterranean Sea to begin its contract with Noble Energy.
Ensco CEO and president Carl Trowell said: "We are pleased to announce another significant contract award for one of our high-specification assets – our fourth drillship contract awarded during the third quarter.
“This award and our other recent contract wins validate our strategy, increase contracted revenue backlog and advance our efforts to drive growth and value creation for all Ensco shareholders.”
Situated 47km south-west of the Tamar gas field, Leviathan gas field is claimed to be the largest natural gas field in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Israel.
The gas field is situated around 130km west of Haifa in waters 1,500m deep in the Levantine basin, a rich hydrocarbon area.
Noble Energy is the operator of the Leviathan with a 39.66% working interest, while Delek Drilling holds 22.67% interest, Avner Oil Exploration holds 22.67% stake and Ratio Oil Exploration holds the remaining 15% interest.
In February 2014, Woodside Energy agreed to acquire 25% stake in the Leviathan field for around $2.55bn.
