Transocean, Atwood Oceanics Lay Off 200 Offshore Workers in Texas

Still grappling with a challenging market, offshore drilling companies Transocean and Atwood Oceanics are laying off a total of more than 200 employees who work offshore the Gulf of Mexico.

Transocean, based in Switzerland, stacked the Deepwater Asgard (UDW drillship) due to market conditions, according to data sent to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). As a result of the rig being stacked, Transocean is laying off between 110 and 120 of its employees, who report to its Houston office. Affected employees will receive a severance package.

Additionally, Atwood Oceanics, which has headquarters in Houston, is laying off about 86 employees who work on the Atwood Condor (UDW semisub). Affected workers report to Atwood’s office location in west Houston and will receive 60 days’ pay. The company communicated to the TWC Jan. 25 that the layoffs are due to the anticipated stacking of the rig. However, in a Feb. 2 press release, Atwood Oceanics reported a contract amendment, which called for the Atwood Condor to move to Australia and work for Woodside Energy Ltd. on the Greater Enfield Project Campaign. Work on the project will start 1Q 2018.

Both companies stated layoffs are expected to be permanent.



WHAT DO YOU THINK?


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Scott Carter  |  October 13, 2017
Sorry for that guys. Glad I moved on, but I am also looking for work now, too. As the propeller turns....
Lee Savage  |  February 06, 2017
Funny that they just mentioned a day or two ago a $36 million relocation transit to Australia to work with the Atwood Osprey. Not getting stacked at all. Just relocated to use another country's workers.


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