April 30 (oilnow.gy) ExxonMobil Guyana has awarded the Noble Developer a one-well contract at a day rate of US$375,000 to drill a prospect in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana.
The contract is scheduled to commence in early 2027.
ExxonMobil Guyana said it contracted the rig “to drill a prospect in the shallow water portion of the Stabroek block, which cannot be addressed by our current fleet.”
The well has not been formally named and the hydrocarbon type has not been specified.
The Noble Developer is a sixth-generation semi-submersible drilling rig built in 2008 by KFELS in Singapore and classified by ABS. It is designed for ultra-deepwater operations, with a maximum water depth capability of 10,000 feet and a drilling depth of up to 40,000 feet.
The unit uses a DP2+ dynamic positioning system with eight Wärtsila thrusters, allowing it to maintain position without anchoring. The rig measures 384 feet in length and 256 feet in breadth, with an operating draft of 67.3 feet. It can accommodate up to 180 personnel and has a variable deck load of 22,960 kips.
Its drilling systems include a derrick, drawworks, and top drive configured for high-capacity operations, with a hook load of up to 2,000 kips on the main hoist. The rig is equipped with a 6-ram GE Hydril blowout preventer rated to 15,000 psi, motion compensation technology, and an active heave compensation system to maintain stability during offshore operations.
It also carries large volumes of drilling mud, fuel, and bulk materials, supported by a solids control system for continuous drilling activity.
Additional equipment includes cranes, automated pipe handling systems, and subsea tree handling capability for offshore installation and maintenance work.
Noble’s vessels in Guyana’s Stabroek Block include the Noble Sam Croft, Noble Don Taylor, Noble Tom Madden and Noble Bob Douglas.
Brazil Energy Insight 
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