Valaris Wins Major Contract Offshore West Africa Worth $135 Million

Contract Award - Valaris Limited has secured a contract for its ultra-deepwater Valaris DS-15 drillship for work offshore West Africa, with a total contract value of $135 million and an estimated duration of 250 days [1][2] - The contract involves drilling five wells for an undisclosed operator, expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026, and includes priced options for up to five additional wells with an estimated duration of 80 to 100 days [2] Rig Upgrades and Capabilities - As part of the contract, the Valaris DS-15 drillship will undergo upgrades to add an improved managed pressure drilling system, enhancing its operational capabilities [3] - The Valaris DS-15 drillship features a GustoMSC P10,000 design and can drill to a maximum depth of 40,000 feet, positioning the company well for future opportunities in the offshore West Africa region [3] Company Ranking and Comparisons - Valaris currently holds a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), indicating a less favorable outlook compared to other energy sector stocks [4] - In contrast, Archrock, EQT Corporation, and Galp Energia have better rankings, with Archrock at Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) and EQT and Galp at Rank 2 (Buy) [4]