STX wins Noble drill ship order

STX Heavy Industries has won a drill ship contract worth $1.2 billion from Noble Corp., the third-largest U.S. offshore oil driller. The order, the first of its type won by STX, includes a $300 million deepwater drill ship for delivery in 2011 and an option for three additional vessels

STX will build the hull and install propulsion systems in Dalian, China, and Huisman will later add topside equipment, Noble said. The drill ship will measure 190 metres long and 32.30 metres wide and will be able to drill to a depth of 40,000 feet.