US-listed drillship owner Seadrill Partners has filed for a debt reorganisation under Chapter 11 of the country's bankruptcy code.

The company, a spin-off of John Fredriksen-backed Seadrill, said it had been in talks about a restructuring of its balance sheet with an ad-hoc group of lenders representing its term loan B credit facility.

In consultation with these banks, Seadrill Partners has filed voluntary petitions to "preserve value and continue the operation and marketing its assets".