Transocean Acquires Interest in Harsh Environment Newbuild Semisubmersible

Transocean Ltd. announced that, through a joint venture with funds managed and/or advised by Hayfin Capital Management LLP (“Hayfin”), it has purchased a 33.3% interest in the West Rigel, a newbuild harsh environment semisubmersible. The total purchase price for the rig, built by Sembcorp Marine Ltd.’s Jurong Shipyard Pte Ltd, is $500 million.

Transocean has initially invested $83 million in the joint venture with an additional investment of $83 million to be made at a later date in accordance with the terms of the joint venture arrangements with Hayfin. Transocean has also invested $8 million for working capital, which includes upgrades and activation cost with additional amounts to be later funded. The rig is expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2018, and available for charter in the first quarter of 2019.

The rig, renamed the Transocean Norge, is a Moss Maritime CS60 design harsh environment semisubmersible and is considered to be among the most capable newbuild semisubmersibles in the world. Transocean possesses the exclusive right to market and operate the Transocean Norge, and will immediately begin engagement with customers.

Transocean’s President and Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Thigpen remarked: “Our interest in the Transocean Norge, along with the recent acquisition of Songa Offshore, underscores our commitment to high-grading our fleet in a financially prudent manner to provide our customers with the drilling assets and expertise they seek for projects in harsh environment and ultra-deepwater environments.” Mr. Thigpen continued: “Given the strong demand and improving utilization and dayrates for this class of rig, we expect to secure work for the Transocean Norge in the near future.”