Bermuda-based offshore drilling company Seadrill Limited has announced that a new, independent, seven-member board of directors will assume leadership of the new parent company of the Seadrill group upon emergence from Chapter 11.

The company said that it received confirmation of its plan of reorganisation on October 26 and is targeting emergence early in 2022.

Julie Johnson Robertson is chairwoman of the board and Mark McCollum will chair the audit committee.

Also joining the board are Karen Dyrskjot Boesen, Jean Cahuzac, Jan Kjaervik, Andrew Schultz, and Paul Smith.

Stuart Jackson, chief executive officer of Seadrill, said: "We look forward to welcoming this new board of directors to help grow the Seadrill brand and execute on our strategic priorities.

“The new Seadrill will start 2022 in a position of strength and, together with our new board, we will be ready to focus on the reshaping of the industry."

Seadrill is an offshore drilling contractor utilising advanced technology to unlock oil and gas resources for clients across harsh and benign locations across the globe.

The company's high-quality, technologically advanced fleet spans all asset classes allowing its experienced crews to conduct its operations from shallow to ultra-deep-water environments.

The company operates 38 rigs, which include drillships, jack-ups and semi-submersibles.