Abstract Offshore deepwater drilling is a complex activity requiring the use of a variety of technologies to enable safe and reliable operations. Year after year, the industry has progressively been able to drill deeper; reaching depths in excess of 10,000 feet, using state-of-the art rigs designed to theoretically reach up to 12,000 feet. However reaching even deeper (15,000 feet+) water depths using existing hoisting and subsea equipment architectures and relying technologies is not feasible. For example BOP hydraulic accumulators within a reasonable weight and size are not viable to support emergency functions beyond 12,500 feet using the existing open loop hydraulic architecture. The prevailing 'go bigger to go deeper' bravado conflicts with the physical limitations of today's mechanical systems and supporting structures. Heavier hook-loads drive higher power consumption, larger power plants, higher fuel consumption and storage, larger derrick structures and subsequently, less variable deck-load. Furthermore, conventional drilling riser length, volume and weight increase, thus compounding the hook-load dilemma and the cycle continues. New designs, materials and concepts are required to reach the depths of this new frontier! This paper presents a roadmap for the introduction of a set of technologies and system architecture(s) to address these challenges.