Transocean has added roughly $1bn to its backlog after securing a new contract in Norway and extensions for two drillships working offshore Brazil. The New York-listed offshore driller said its harsh environment semisubmersible Transocean Barents has been fixed by Vår Energi on a 1,095-day deal at a dayrate of $450,000. The contract is expected to start around mid-second quarter 2027 and will contribute about $490m to backlog, excluding mobilisation and other services. Options attached to the deal could keep the rig working in Norway through to 2034.In Brazil, Petrobras has extended contracts for two of Transocean’s ultra-deepwater drillships. The Deepwater Orion secured a 1,095-day extension in direct continuation of its current programme, adding around $420m in backlog and keeping the rig busy through March 2030. There will be a gap period before the extension kicks in, trimming about $20m from the existing backlog. Meanwhile, the Deepwater Aquila picked up a 365-day extension, contributing roughly $160m and extending its work to June 2028. A similar gap ahead of the new term will see about $10m roll off current backlog. The awards come as offshore drilling demand remains firm in both the North Sea and Brazil, with operators continuing to lock in high-spec rigs on longer contracts. Transocean currently operates a fleet of 27 units, including 20 ultra-deepwater floaters and seven harsh environment rigs. The latest contract wins also follow the company’s move earlier this year to bulk up further, agreeing to acquire US-listed Valaris in a $5.8bn all-stock deal that would create one of the largest offshore drilling fleets globally, spanning 33 drillships, nine semisubmersibles and 31 modern jackups. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); }); TagsSwitzerland