Sembcorp Marine's subsidiary Jurong Shipyard has clinched two contracts worth a total of US$1.08 billion (S$1.37 billion) to build two drillships for a subsidiary of Transocean.

The US-listed company, the top global player in the drillship market, is also given options for three additional drillship units.

The win is a feather to SembMarine's cap as the South Korean yards have traditionally dominated the drillship market.

Scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2017 and first quarter of 2018, the drillships will be built based on Jurong Shipyard's proprietary design, with advanced capabilities for operational efficiency and ultra-deepwater development drilling operations worldwide.

The drillships will feature larger deck space with enclosed riser bay and round mud pits inside the hull for operational efficiency and safety.

They will be capable of operating at 12,000 feet water depth and drilling up to depths of 40,000 ft, with accommodation facilities for a crew of 220.

Transocean currently owns and operates six drilling rigs built by Sembcorp Marine's yards, including three jack-ups and one semi-submersible delivered by PPL Shipyard and two semi-submersibles built by Jurong Shipyard.