GDI signs joint venture agreement with Seadrill

Gulf Drilling International (GDI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Gulf International Services (GIS), has executed a joint venture agreement with Seadrill Limited to service the Qatar Petroleum North Field Expansion drilling programme.

The joint venture, which will be established by Qatar Financial Centre under a 50:50 ownership structure, will be named “GulfDrill”.

GIS is one of the largest service groups in Qatar, with interests in a broad cross-section of industries, ranging from insurance, re-insurance, onshore and offshore drilling, accommodation barge, helicopter transportation, and catering services.

The joint venture is formed to support the execution of the drilling contracts which have been awarded to GDI, a release issued by GIS said.

GDI has no required capital contribution to the joint venture. GDI will be subcontracted by the joint venture to mobilise and manage the rigs to meet the requirements of the drilling contracts. The joint venture will source rigs directly from Seadrill, and any additional rigs required will be sourced from an unrelated third-party shipyard.

The firm terms of the well-based contracts will commence in 2020 with initial terms concluding in 2023 and 2024 and an estimated total contract value (including mobilisation income) of

QR 2.39bn. The contracts include single well-based options which could add up to an estimated 13.7 cumulative years of term and an additional contract value of QR 2.55bn. The options could be exercised only if the contractual stipulations are realised prior to the end of the firm contracts period. If the options are exercised by the customer at a later date, GIS will announce the award of the options accordingly.

William Ceppi, GDI's Chief Executive Officer, stated: “We are pleased with the continued collaboration with our joint venture partner. We look forward to working closely with all stakeholders on this significant project and we remain honoured to be entrusted to continue our safe and efficient operations for Qatar Petroleum.”

The joint venture comes in line with GIS's strategy to capture new business opportunities that would potentially help increase revenues and ultimately maximise shareholder value.