Petrodrill to double rigs order

An order for two Amethyst drilling platforms placed with shipbuilder Davie Industries Inc will be doubled to four if necessary financing is available in time.

Davie Industries said the total value of the four platforms would be about US$750 million.

The original order was placed by Petrodrill Offshore Inc, Davie Industries management said, confirming the possible further order following discussions with Paul Bragg, president of Pride International, who spoke on behalf of Petrodrill.

Cost of each platform is $187.5 million, with Petrodrill proposing to pay $37.5 million from internal sources, and the rest from external sources.