Norway’s Odfjell Drilling has taken delivery of the newbuild Deepsea Aberdeen semisubmersible rig from Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) in South Korea.
The 6th generation, GVA 7500-design unit is the latest addition to Odfjell’s fleet of harsh environment and ultra-deepwater drilling rigs. The semisub is of same design as the Deepsea Atlantic and Deepsea Stavanger rigs.
The Deepsea Aberdeen is now heading on its journey to the UK’s west of Shetland area to start its 7-year, US $1.2 billion contract with BP. Commencement on drilling operations is expected to take place in the latter part of the first quarter of 2015, with the rig to work on the Schiehallion and Loyal fields as part of the Quad 204 redevelopment project.
The delivery took place despite a mishap which saw part of the unit’s blowout preventer (BOP) fall into the water during sea trials at the yard, although no technical fault was found with the rig or equipment. The rig is equipped with two BOPs. The rig was also delayed by an initial six months after partially sinking last year due to water entering into one of its pontoons. It was refloated the following month but added around US $10 million in overall costs.
Recommended Reading
Asia Spot LNG at 3-month Peak on Steady Demand, Supply Disruption
2024-04-12 - Heating demand in Europe and production disruption at the Freeport LNG terminal in the U.S. pushed up prices, said Samuel Good, head of LNG pricing at commodity pricing agency Argus.
Exclusive: Chevron Balancing Low Carbon Intensity, Global Oil, Gas Needs
2024-03-28 - Colin Parfitt, president of midstream at Chevron, discusses how the company continues to grow its traditional oil and gas business while focusing on growing its new energies production, in this Hart Energy Exclusive interview.
Imperial Expects TMX to Tighten Differentials, Raise Heavy Crude Prices
2024-02-06 - Imperial Oil expects the completion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion to tighten WCS and WTI light and heavy oil differentials and boost its access to more lucrative markets in 2024.
Midstream Builds in a Bearish Market
2024-03-11 - Midstream companies are sticking to long term plans for an expanded customer base, despite low gas prices, high storage levels and an uncertain political LNG future.
Exclusive: Renewables Won't Promise Affordable Security without NatGas
2024-03-25 - Greg Ebel, president and CEO of midstream company Enbridge, says renewables needs backing from natural gas to create a "nice foundation" for affordable and sustainable industrial growth, in this Hart Energy Exclusive interview.