Seadrill


Seadrill is a deepwater drilling contractor for the petroleum industry. It is incorporated in Bermuda and managed from London. The company operates semi-submersible platforms, jackup rigs and drillships.

History

Seadrill was incorporated as a Bermuda company on May 10, 2005 by John Fredriksen, a Norwegian-born shipping tycoon, and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange in November 2005.
In July 2005, the company acquired jackup rigs from Odfjell Drilling.
In September 2006, the company acquired a controlling share of Smedvig by outbidding Noble Corporation.
In 2007, the company acquired Eastern Drilling.
In May 2010, the company outbid Ensco for Scorpion Offshore, valuing the company at $567 million.
In 2014, Seadrill conducted an initial public offering of its North Atlantic Drilling subsidiary, which owns harsh environment rigs. Seadrill continued to own 70% of North Atlantic Drilling.
In April 2013, the company sold the majority of its tender rig and semi-tender operation to SapuraKencana.
In May 2013, the company sold Tender rigs T-15, T16 and the West Vencedor to Seadrill Partners LLC.
In June 2013, the company acquired a majority interest in Sevan Drilling.
In November 2014, the company suspended dividend payments as a result of a downturn in the industry.
In September 2017, the company filed bankruptcy. The company emerged from bankruptcy in July 2018. However, the company had its shares delisted from the New York Stock Exchange in June 2020.

Controversies

Bribery allegations

In 2015, Petrobras alleged bribery in the negotiations of rig contracts signed by Sevan Drilling, a subsidiary of Seadrill, in 2005-2008.

Environmental damage due to rig fire

In November 2009, Seadrill's West Atlas jackup rig, which was located on Montara field, about 690 kilometers offshore of Darwin, Australia, caught fire after the field had been leaking oil for ten weeks. The rig was operated by the Thai firm PTTEP. For 74 days, gas and oil ran into the Timor Sea, in what was one of the worst environmental disasters in Australian history.