GE’s Power Conversion business has signed a multi-million dollar contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) of South Korea to supply electric power, propulsion systems and drilling drives for a newbuild ultra-deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig the yard is building for Seadrill Ltd.

The sixth generation rig West Mira is expected to work in either the North Sea or offshore Canada. “By using our diesel electric power and propulsion technology the components like generators, drives, controllers and switchboards will be optimised to provide an efficient system arrangement and increase overall system availability. This is a necessary requirement for reliable position keeping capabilities and for electrical drilling operation needs”, said Paul English, marine vertical leader at GE’s Power Conversion business.

The sixth generation semisub, based on a Moss Maritime CS60 design, will be built in accordance with Norwegian regulatory body Det Norske Veritas’ (DNV) dynamic positioning DP3 class.

The West Mira will be capable of drilling wells up to 12,192 m (40,000 ft) deep in up to 3,048 m (10,000 ft) of water.