Seadrill's new ultra-deepwater drillship West Gemini has commenced operations for Total in Angola. West Gemini, which was delivered from the Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea end of June 2010, arrived offshore Angola in West Africa end of August and has since arrival prepared for start-up of operations. The drillship is chartered to Total under a two-year contract and is the third deepwater newbuild from Seadrill that has been contracted by Total.

Alf C Thorkildsen, Chief Executive Officer in Seadrill Management AS, says, "We are very pleased that West Gemini has commenced operation. West Gemini will be our fifth unit in West Africa, our third rig in Angola and will strengthen our presence in one of the most important growing oil and gas region.