Jones Act & Offshore Injury Update – 7.13.07

Jones Act Injury Lawyers at Morrow & Sheppard LLP monitor developments in the offshore drilling and maritime industries, to better serve injured seamen and offshore workers.

This month, we discuss the mega-merger between Ensco plc and Atwood Oceanics, Inc.

Jones Act/Offshore Giant Ensco to Merge With Atwood

On May 30, 2017, offshore drillers Ensco plc and Atwood Oceanics, Inc. announced they would be merging as part of an all-stock transaction.

The merger contract provides that Atwood shareholders will receive 1.60 shares of Ensco for each share of Atwood common stock. That means the shareholders receive for a total value of $10.72 per Atwood share based on Ensco’s May 26, 2017 share price, a 33% premium over Atwood’s price. Ensco expects to receive yearly pretax expense benefits of approximately $65 million beginning in 2019.

Ensco CEO Carl Trowlell commented that “By bringing together our high-specification rig fleets, technology and innovation, and talented rig crews, we plan to continue delivering high levels of operational and safety performance to an even larger group of clients. We will remain one of our industry’s best capitalized companies. Our combined financial strength, diverse customer base and larger scale should lead to greater strategic and competitive advantages as well as cost efficiencies, allowing for opportunistic investments through the market cycle.:

He also stated that “The combination of Ensco and Atwood will strengthen our position as the leader in offshore drilling across a wide range of water depths around the world – creating a broad platform that we can build upon in the future. This acquisition significantly enhances our high-specification floater and jackup fleets, adding technologically advanced drillships and semisubmersibles, and refreshing our premium jackup fleet to best position ourselves for the market recovery. We believe that the purchase price for these assets represents a compelling value to our shareholders, which is augmented further by expected synergies from the transaction.”

The combined corporation will have 63 rigs including semisubmersibles, drillships, and jackups capable of drilling in shallow water, mid-water, deep-water, and ultra-deepwater.

21 of the vessels are ultradeepwater rigs capable of drilling in 7,500 feet of water or greater. 37 of the rigs are jackups, comprising the largest jackup fleet in the world.

The majority of the jackups are equipped with advanced features including greater cantilever reach and hoisting capability.

About Ensco

Ensco plc is an English limited company with its corporate headquarters in London and Houston, Texas. The company has been in oroperation for nearly 29 years.

As an Ensco injury lawyer knows, Ensco’s vessels include:

ENSCO DS-10, an ultra-deepwater drillship capable of operating in 12,000 feet of water, which currently operates in the Asia Pacific Rim region.

ENSCO DS-9, an ultra-deepwater drillship capable of operating in 12,000 feet of water, which currently operates in the Asia Pacific Rim region.

ENSCO DS-8, an ultra-deepwater drillship capable of operating in 12,000 feet of water, which currently operates in the Middle East and Africa region.

ENSCO DS-7, an ultra-deepwater drillship capable of operating in 12,000 feet of water, which currently operates in the Europe and Mediterranean region.

ENSCO DS-6, an ultra-deepwater drillship capable of operating in 12,000 feet of water, which currently operates in the Europe and Mediterranean region.

ENSCO DS-5, an ultra-deepwater drillship capable of operating in 12,000 feet of water, which currently operates in the Europe and Mediterranean region.

ENSCO DS-4, an ultra-deepwater drillship capable of operating in 12,000 feet of water, which currently operates in the Europe and Mediterranean region.

ENSCO DS-3, an ultra-deepwater drillship capable of operating in 12,000 feet of water, which currently operates in the Europe and Mediterranean region.

ENSCO 8500, an ultra-deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig capable of operating in 10,000 feet of water, which currently operates in North & South America including the Gulf of Mexico offshore Louisiana and Texas.

ENSCO 8501, an ultra-deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig capable of operating in 10,000 feet of water, which currently operates in North & South America including the Gulf of Mexico.

ENSCO 8502, an ultra-deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig capable of operating in 10,000 feet of water, which currently operates in North & South America including the Gulf of Mexico offshore Louisiana and Texas.

ENSCO 8503, an ultra-deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig capable of operating in 10,000 feet of water, which currently operates in North & South America including the Gulf of Mexico.

ENSCO 8504, an ultra-deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig capable of operating in 10,000 feet of water, which currently operates in the Asia Pacific Rim region.

ENSCO 8505, an ultra-deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig capable of operating in 10,000 feet of water, which currently operates in North & South America including the Gulf of Mexico.

ENSCO 8506, an ultra-deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig capable of operating in 10,000 feet of water, which currently operates in North & South America including the Gulf of Mexico.

ENSCO 7500, an ultra-deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig capable of operating in 8,000 feet of water, which is currently for sale.

ENSCO 6001, a deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig capable of operating in 5,700 feet of water, which currently operates in Brazil.

ENSCO 6002, a deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig capable of operating in 5,700 feet of water, which currently operates in Brazil.

ENSCO 5004, a midwater semisubmersible drilling rig capable of operating in 1,500 feet of water, which currently operates in Europe and the Mediterranean region.

ENSCO 5005, a midwater semisubmersible drilling rig capable of operating in 1,700 feet of water, which currently operates in the Asia Pacific Rim region.

ENSCO 5006, an ultra-deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig capable of operating in 7,500 feet of water, which currently operates in the Asia Pacific Rim region.

ENSCO 141, a Cameron Latourneau jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water, which currently operates in the Middle East and Africa region.

ENSCO 140, a Cameron Latourneau jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water, which currently operates in the Middle East and Africa region.

ENSCO 123, a KFELS jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water, which currently operates in the Middle East and Africa region.

ENSCO 122, a KFELS jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water, which currently operates in the Europe and Mediterranean region.

ENSCO 121, a KFELS jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water, which currently operates in the Europe and Mediterranean region.

ENSCO 120, a KFELS jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water, which currently operates in the Europe and Mediterranean region.

ENSCO 110, a KFELS jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water.

ENSCO 109, a KFELS jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water.

ENSCO 108, a KFELS jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water.

ENSCO 107, a KFELS jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water.

ENSCO 106, a KFELS jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water.

ENSCO 105, a KFELS jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water.

ENSCO 104, a KFELS jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water.

ENSCO 103, a KFELS jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water.

ENSCO 102, a KFELS jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water.

ENSCO 101, a KFELS jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water.

ENSCO 100, an MLT Gorilla jackup rig capable of drilling in 350 feet of water.

ENSCO 99, an MLT 82 jackup rig capable of drilling in 250 feet of water that is currently operating in North & South America including the Gulf of Mexico offshore Louisiana and Texas.

ENSCO 97, an MLT 82 jackup rig capable of drilling in 250 feet of water.

ENSCO 96, a HITACHI jackup rig capable of drilling in 250 feet of water.

ENSCO 92, an MLT 116-C jackup rig capable of drilling in 225 feet of water.

ENSCO 90, an MLT jackup rig capable of drilling in 250 feet of water.

ENSCO 88, an MLT jackup rig capable of drilling in 250 feet of water.

ENSCO 87, an MLT jackup rig capable of drilling in 350 feet of water that is currently operating in North & South America including the Gulf of Mexico offshore Louisiana and Texas.

ENSCO 86, an MLT jackup rig capable of drilling in 250 feet of water that is currently operating in North & South America including the Gulf of Mexico offshore Louisiana and Texas.

ENSCO 84, an MLT jackup rig capable of drilling in 250 feet of water.

ENSCO 82, an MLT jackup rig capable of drilling in 300 feet of water that is currently operating in North & South America including the Gulf of Mexico offshore Louisiana and Texas.

ENSCO 82, an MLT jackup rig capable of drilling in 350 feet of water that is currently operating in North & South America including the Gulf of Mexico offshore Louisiana and Texas.

ENSCO 80, an MLT jackup rig capable of drilling in 225 feet of water.

ENSCO 76, an MLT jackup rig capable of drilling in 350 feet of water.

ENSCO 75, an MLT jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water that is currently operating in North & South America including the Gulf of Mexico offshore Louisiana and Texas.

ENSCO 72, a Hitachi jackup rig capable of drilling in 225 feet of water.

ENSCO 71, a Hitachi jackup rig capable of drilling in 225 feet of water.

ENSCO 70, a Hitachi jackup rig capable of drilling in 250 feet of water.

ENSCO 68, an MLT jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water that is currently operating in North & South America including the Gulf of Mexico offshore Louisiana and Texas.

ENSCO 67, an MLT jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water.

ENSCO 54, an F&G jackup rig capable of drilling in 300 feet of water.

ENSCO 52, an F&G jackup rig capable of drilling in 300 feet of water.

Jones Act Injuries On Ensco Rigs

Several Jones Act seamen have been injured while working on Ensco drilling rigs.

On November 3, 2017, a young engineer was killed while working on the ENSCO 107.

Recently, Ensco settled a Jones Act lawsuit brought by a righand who was injured aboard the ENSCO 87.

In February 2015, the ENSCO 8502 drilling rig caught fire.

About Atwood Oceanics

Atwood is an offshore drilling company that owns 10 operating mobile offshore drilling units, with 2 under construction. It was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Atwood’s fleet includes:

Atwood Achiever, an ultra-deepwater dynamically positioned drillship capable of drilling 12,000 feet of water.

Atwood Archer, an ultra-deepwater dynamically positioned drillship capable of drilling in 12,000 feet of water.

Atwood Admiral, an ultra-deepwater dynamically positioned drillship capable of drilling in 12,000 feet of water.

Atwood Advantage, an ultra-deepwater dynamically positioned drillship capable of drilling in 12,000 feet of water.

Atwood Condor, an ultra-deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig capable of drilling in 10,000 feet of water.

Atwood Osprey, an ultra-deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig capable of drilling in 8,200 feet of water.

Atwood Aurora, an independent cantilever jackup rig capable of drilling in 350 feet of water.

Atwood Beacon, an independent cantilever jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water.

Atwood Mako, a jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water.

Atwood Manta, a jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water.

Atwood Orca, a jackup rig capable of drilling in 400 feet of water.

Jones Act Injuries Aboard Atwood Vessels

In 2015, a crewmember was killed when the offshore support vessel (OSV) Skandi Pacific was loading cargo containers from the Atwood Osprey offshore Australia. Workers slackened a securing chain they were using to secure containers on the starboard side, when two large waives shifted the containers forward. A crewmember was trapped between the moving containers and suffered fatal injuries.

Houston Jones Act Lawyers Assist Jones Act Seamen and Offshore Workers Nationwide

Morrow & Sheppard Jones Act lawyers are privileged to represent injured American maritime workers who are injured working on the high seas, offshore, or overseas.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an offshore or maritime accident, please call us now at 1-800-489-2216 for a free consultation.