Sonadrill Holding, the 50:50 joint venture between Seadrill and an affiliate of Angola’s state oil company Sonangol, has secured two new drilling contracts offshore Angola.
The West Gemini, a 2010-built sixth-generation ultra-deepwater dual activity drillship owned by Seadrill, has been contracted by Sonangol Exploração & Produção for an estimated 284-day campaign starting in late 2025 or early 2026. The unit, with a maximum drilling depth of 11,400 meters, can accommodate 200 personnel.
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Drilling program
In the second deal, Azule Energy Angola has contracted the Sonangol Libongos for an extended drilling program. The firm term is expected to run for 525 days, with additional priced options available.
Work is planned to start in the third quarter of 2025, immediately following the completion of its current assignment. Delivered in 2015, the Sonangol Libongos is a seventh-generation drillship of DSME e-Smart design. It offers advanced deepwater drilling capacity of up to 12,100 meters and also provides accommodation for 200 personnel.
Sonangol is the owner of both the Sonangol Libongos and its sister rig, the Sonangol Quenguela. These rigs are chartered to Sonadrill, with Seadrill responsible for management, operational oversight, and technical support under the joint venture structure.
The award follows Seadrill’s recent success in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, where Talos Energy made an oil discovery at the Daenerys prospect using the West Vela drillship. Together, the new contracts underline Sonadrill’s continued role in Angola’s offshore development, while highlighting Seadrill’s global reach and track record in ultra-deepwater exploration.