Pacific Drilling takes delivery of fourth drillship

Pacific Drilling S.A. (NYSE:PACD) has taken delivery of its newest drillship from shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries, the Pacific Santa Ana. The drillship features advanced drilling technology that includes dual load path capability and dual gradient drilling upgrades. The Pacific Santa Ana is capable of operating in water depths of up to 12,000 feet and drilling wells 40,000 feet deep.

Pacific Drilling CEO, Chris Beckett, stated, “We are very proud to announce the delivery of the Pacific Santa Ana. This drillship incorporates the newest advances in offshore drilling technology and is the first ultra-deepwater rig equipped for dual gradient drilling, an innovation that is expected to provide significant benefits in drilling safety and efficiency. The delivery of the Pacific Santa Ana, the fourth rig in our fleet, completes the first phase of Pacific Drilling’s growth strategy to become the industry’s preferred ultra-deepwater drilling contractor.”

Pacific Drilling currently operates four recently delivered drillships and has two additional drillships on order at Samsung to be delivered in 2013.

December 20, 2011