Sembcorp Marine's PPL Shipyard has secured orders to build two more jack-up rigs for repeat customer Integradora de Servicios Petroleros Oro Negro.

The contracts, worth a total of US$417 million, bring Oro Negro's total orders for PPL Shipyard's Pacific Class 400 rigs to six units, SembMarine said on Monday.

One of the newly ordered rigs is scheduled to be delivered at the end of July 2015 while the other is to be delivered at the end of the third quarter in 2015.

The earlier four rigs that were ordered are scheduled for delivery between the fourth quarter of this year and 2015.

The Pacific Class 400 rigs are capable of operating in deeper waters of 400 feet and drilling high pressure and high temperature wells to depths of 30,000 feet, SembMarine said.

These rigs will also come with full catering facilities and amenities to accommodate 150 people on board in one-man and two-men cabins.

"We are very pleased to repeat our orders for an additional two jack-up rigs of similar design with our partner yard, PPL Shipyard. All four jack-up rigs currently under construction in the shipyard are progressing well," said Mr Gonzalo Gil, chief executive of Oro Negro.

"Once fully operational, these high-specification jack-up rigs will position Oro Negro as a leading player in Mexico's growing offshore market."

Oro Negro's repeat order is "a reflection of the optimism the owner has in the jack-up market," said PPL Shipyard managing director Wong Teck Cheong.

"It also signifies the trust and confidence that the owner, Oro Negro, has in PPL Shipyard's design capabilities, its efficient project execution and track record for quality and timely deliveries."