FWIW ... So far the Liza field portion of this basin has been drilled by the Stena Cannon under contract for the Exxon (Esso) / Hess / CNOOC owned concession. Drilling has been going on for 1 year now, from Jan 2016-Jan 2017. The Stena Carron's contract was announced as a 1 year firm contract at $235k/d planned to start Dec 2015... with one priced 6 month option, and with further options to be agreed at market rates.
My expectation is that Exxon's exercised its 6 month option about a week ago; but I have not seen any confirmation on that. I suspect Exxon's March 1st 2017 CAPEX analyst day meeting would be where any Exxon confirmation would be announced; and perhaps might be when Exxon announces an FID on the project? It represents the largest new offshore oil find in past 2 years.
I do not know if the attached video, said to be published last week, is an official video from Exxon, make your own conclusions. My sense from the video is that a second drillship may be engaged; if so, the Stena Forth seems to be available in 2Q17 and I think it has worked for Hess and Exxon. Would Exxon want the same offshore driller to provide both vessels, and would the Stena Forth contain the technical spec that Exxon desires??? I have no idea on all these points. Time will tell.
This project, and the expected soon to be announced Foz de Amazonas project represent huge long-term new UDW drilling contracts offshore South America.
GLTA longs. T.D.