Bermuda-registered Seadrill has awarded an assignment for a new-build deepwater unit known as West Capella to a consortium of international operators in a deal worth $970 million to last five years.

The company has awarded the long-term contract to utilise the ultra deepwater drillship West Capella on a world wide assignment. The drillship is currently under construction at the Samsung Shipyard in South Korea and is scheduled for commencement of operations in the first quarter 2009.