Swiss offshore drilling giant Transocean has secured the continuation of its operations in West African waters after confirming the contractual extension of the Deepwater Skyros drillship. The extension underscores the strategic importance of the Ivorian coast on the company’s international agenda and strengthens fleet activity in the Gulf of Guinea.
The vessel, a 2013-built ultra-deepwater drilling unit, will continue operating in Côte d’Ivoire under contract with U.S. oil company Murphy Oil. The North American company has exercised its option to drill an additional well in the area, where the vessel has been operating continuously since December 2025.
The economic terms of the new agreement set a fixed daily rate of $361,000 for the vessel’s operations in African waters. The signed extension guarantees the Deepwater Skyros firm activity in Côte d’Ivoire through September 2026, consolidating Transocean’s presence in the Ivorian basin during the current year.
In addition, the contract includes a flexibility mechanism allowing Murphy Oil to exercise an option involving an additional payment to retain the rig in West Africa through November 2026 at exactly the same daily rate. The vessel’s retention in the region highlights the strength of Côte d’Ivoire’s hydrocarbons sector before the unit begins its subsequent transoceanic deployment to Pacific waters.
The article Transocean: Murphy extends Deepwater Skyros contract at $361,000 per day in West Africa was first published on canarymaritime.com.
