First of two D90 deepwater dual-derrick rigs close to sea trials offshore China
Aug 19th, 2016
China National Petroleum Corp. Offshore Engineering Co. has signed an operation contract for the newbuild drilling semisubmersible D90 1# with Yantai CIMC Raffles.
Newbuild drilling semisubmersible D90 1#
Offshore staff
YANTAI, China– China National Petroleum Corp. Offshore Engineering Co. has signed an operation contract for the newbuild drilling semisubmersible D90 1# with Yantai CIMC Raffles.
CIMC Raffles claims this is the most advanced deepwater/dual-derrick drilling rig under construction. It is based on the Frigstad D90 design, with CIMC Raffles performing detailed and construction design and commissioning.
The rig is 117 m (384 ft) long, 92.7 m (304 ft) wide and 118 m (387 ft) high, with a DP-3 dynamic positioning system, and is classed by DNV. Its drilling depth is up to 15,240 m (50,000 ft) with an operating water depth of up to 3,658 m (12,001 ft), allowing it to operate in deepwater globally.
Compared with a traditional single derrick drilling rig, D90 1# can achieve up to 30% greater efficiency, the yard claims, while saving 10% in energy due to its hydraulic twin-tower and Siemens DP3 close ring system.
The rig will start sea trials in September and will be delivered at the end of 2016. D90 2# remains under construction at the Yantai CIMC Raffles shipyard.
