ABS sweeps series of semisubs
Posted: 10 September 2007
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The TDS-2500 column stabilised drilling unit for Brazil 's drilling contractor, Delba Maritima, will be classed by ABS. The rig is the third in a series of semisubmersibles based on the Gusto MSC design with engineering and project management awarded to SBM-Atlantia.
All three semis are building to ABS Rules with the TDS -2500 the largest allowing for ultra deep drilling up to 8,202 feet. The semi is slated to drill for Petrobras offshore in Brazil by mid 2010. Fabrication is taking place at Gulf Piping Co. in Abu Dhabi . According to ABS Principal Surveyor Chris Perrocco, who is the local project manager for all three units, fabrication on the first and second units is progressing as scheduled. Working with Perrocco is ABS Surveyor Binushkhan Sali. To contact the ABS office in Abu Dhabi email: ABSAbuDhabi@eagle.org.
ABS is seeing continued demand for deepwater semisubmersibles as oil companies are looking for higher specification drilling units rated for at least 4,000 feet with the majority of the current new construction units rated for 7,500 feet or greater water depths. Some recent orders are pushing the boundaries to the 12,000 feet mark. In the next few years another 36 semis will join the existing fleet of 55 deepwater semisubs in operation. Recent orders to ABS class include: ENSCO 8503, Delba Maritima's TDS-2500 and Seadrill. |
