A drillship is a vessel designed for use in exploratory offshore drilling of new

oil and gas wells or for scientific drilling purposes. In most recent years the
vessels are used in deepwater and ultra-deepwater applications, equipped with t
he latest and most advanced dynamic positioning systems.Drillships are just one
way to perform various types of drilling. This function can also be performed by
semi-submersibles, jackups, barges, or platform rigs.
Drillships have the functional ability of semi-submersible drilling rigs and als
o have a few unique features that separate them from all others. First being the
ship-shaped design. A drillship has greater mobility and can move quickly under
its own propulsion from drill site to drill site in contrast to semi-submersibl
es and jackup barges and platforms. Drillships have the ability to save time sai
ling between oilfields worldwide. A drillship takes 20 days to move from the Gul
f of Mexico to the Offshore Angola. Whereas, a semi-submersible drilling unit mu
st be towed and takes 70 days.[4] Drillship construction cost is much higher tha
n that of a semi-submersible. But although mobility comes at a high price, the d
rillship owners can charge higher day rates and get the benefit of lower idle ti
mes between assignments.