The Ultra-Deepwater Semi-Submersible drilling rig ENSCO 8501 is currently undergoing final fitting & dynamic positioning sea trials in Ingleside, TX.  This is number 2 0f 7 planned rigs being built at the Keppel FELS yard in Singapore.  The mobilization is expected to take approximately 50 days before beginning its 3.5 year contract with a subsidiary of Nexen & Noble energy.

Rated for work in 8500′ of water, the new ultra-deepwater semi-submersible rigs may be modified to drill & complete wells in depths up to 10,000′.

The ENSCO 8502 & 8503 are both scheduled to be delivered next year, with 2 year contracts in the Gulf of Mexico.

The ENSCO 8504 is scheduled to be delivered in 2011 & the 8506 & 8507 are due in 2012.

ENSCO International Incorporated, based in Dallas, Texas, is one of the world’s leading offshore drilling contractors.  The company was founded in 1975 as Blocker Energy Corporation by longtime oilman John R. Blocker, who worked on a Gulf of Mexico oil rig for several years before establishing a South Texas drilling company with his father in 1954.

ENSCO’s primary competitors are Diamond Offshore Drilling & Transocean.

For more information see the ENSCO website