North Atlantic Drilling Takes Delivery of Jackup West Elara

- North Atlantic Drilling Takes Delivery of Jackup West Elara

Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Seadrill Ltd.

North Atlantic Drilling Ltd., in which Seadrill has a 75 percent ownership, has taken delivery of the new harsh environment jackup drilling rig, West Elara from Jurong Shipyard in Singapore. The rig is expected to depart Singapore on August 11th and arrive at Westcon Shipyard in Olen, Norway in early October in order to undertake final contract preparation activities. The West Elara is expected to begin operations for Statoil on a five- year contract during late November 2011.

The West Elara is the first of two Gusto MSC CJ70 150A rigs to be constructed for North Atlantic Drilling Ltd. The rig is an advanced, ultra large, harsh environment, high specification drilling unit, specifically built for Norwegian requirements and matching the specifications of the largest jackup drilling units in the world. The unit can operate in water depth up to 150 meters with a higher variable deck load and a higher operating efficiency compared to earlier generation jackups. The size of the unit allows for additional opportunities in terms of logistics, well testing and early production.

Alf C. Thorkildsen, Chief Executive Officer in Seadrill Management AS and Chairman of North Atlantic Drilling Ltd, said, "We are pleased to take delivery of the West Elara, the first of two new ultra large and harsh environment jackups to be added to the North Atlantic Drilling fleet. We look forward to seeing this new and advanced drilling unit operating on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, creating growth for North Atlantic Drilling ahead of its listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange, increasing our presence in this key region and further strengthening our relationship with Statoil, one of our most important customers."

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Deep Sea Takes Delivery of Odfjell Drillship

- Deep Sea Takes Delivery of Odfjell Drillship

Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Odfjell Drilling AS

Deep Sea Metro Ltd. has taken delivery of the drillship Deepsea Metro I from Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).

Chairman of Odfjell Offshore Ltd. Simen Lieungh stated, "Delivery has been according to plan. The collaboration with the yard has been excellent and we acknowledge their great effort. With the delivery of this state of the art vessel, we are now looking forward to the operations ahead with BG Group and Woodside Energy."

The vessel is a highly efficient, state-of-the-art 6th generation drillship. It is equipped with the latest technology and with focus on zero discharge and other green rig features.

Deepsea Metro I is the first of two ultra deepwater drillships ordered by Deep Sea Metro Ltd. The second vessel Deepsea Metro II is scheduled for delivery from HHI end of November 2011. Deepsea Metro II has a contract with Petrobras.

The Metrostar Group retains 60 percent ownership in Deepsea Metro I & II and Odfjell Offshore Ltd. has a 40 percent ownership. Odfjell Drilling is responsible for the construction follow-up, management and operation of the vessels.

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Seadrill Lines Up Semi-Tender for 2013 Delivery

- Seadrill Lines Up Semi-Tender for 2013 Delivery

Thursday, June 09, 2011
Seadrill Ltd.

Seadrill has entered into an agreement with Keppel FELS Limited in Singapore to build a new semi-submersible self-erecting tender rig (semi-tender). Total project price for the rig is estimated at below US $200 million (including the drilling equipment set, project management, spares, capitalized interest and operation preparation).

The new rig is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter 2013 and will be based on a similar design and specification as the semi-tender West Jaya, which was delivered from the Keppel FELS yard in March this year and is contracted for a minimum of two years. Similar to previous semi-tenders, the new unit is suited for harsher environment and deepwater drilling operations in combination with floating wellhead platforms such as Tension Leg Platforms and Spars.

The new unit is based on the KFELS SSDT 3600E design and adds to the seven semi-tenders that Keppel has earlier built for Seadrill since the launch of the design in 1994. The unit will feature a crane capacity of 250 tones, four mud pumps and accommodation for 160 people.

Alf C Thorkildsen, Chief Executive Officer of Seadrill Management AS said, "We are pleased to announce the addition of a new semi-tender to our existing fleet of 19 tender rigs. The tender rig business has delivered excellent operational results as well as outstanding economics over the last decade. Based on the continued strength of the offshore drilling market we continue to see strong growth and earnings potential for our business. The new semi-tender has a favorable construction price and an equipment specification list that will meet our customers' future needs. We have had very good experience with the Keppel FELS yard and this design and we are confident that the new unit will be delivered on time and within budget once again."

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RBG Enhances Fabric Maintenance Delivery

- RBG Enhances Fabric Maintenance Delivery

Friday, May 20, 2011
RBG

RBG has worked with a number of suppliers to improve the safety and effectiveness of a range of fabric maintenance technology.

RBG worked with MONTI and its UK distributor, Belzona Polymerics Ltd to enhance the Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV) daily usage limit of MONTI's MBX® Bristle Blaster®. The lightweight, handheld power tool is used widely across the industry to remove corrosion from oil and gas platforms. A new body and handle were designed to increase the HAVs usage limit from two hours to more than 12 hours, in line with the workscope requirements of many fabric maintenance projects.

The development of the Hodge Vac Blasting Recovery System, in conjunction with Hodge Clemco, was driven by RBG's commitment to providing a safe working environment for its employees. Abrasive blasting is used to remove paint from oil and gas installations; structures coated with lead-based paint create debris and dust can cause serious health issues for the operative during this process. The new system recovers the harmful material, negating the exposure to lead in a safe, easy and efficient manner.

RBG and Hodge Clemco collaborated again to develop a Wet, Dry Offshore (WDOS) abrasive blasting unit that can change function easily. Previously two separate systems were required, which could create logistical issues if the technology was being used by rope access technicians. Integrating both functions into a single unit allows the operator to work more effectively and chose the appropriate method for the job without disruption.

RBG personnel will also benefit from using new working procedures that were developed for the sampling of coating which may contain lead and lead chromate, new hearing protection and an advanced liner for the Apollo 600 blast helmet to ensure they are receiving the best protection at all times.

Fraser Coull, RBG operations support director, said, "We are very pleased to be working with suppliers to enhance these tools which are fundamental to wide range of complex fabric maintenance services we offer. We are always looking for ways to make our operations safer for our employee community and more efficient and cost-effective for our clients and these innovations deliver on both fronts."

Robert Grainger, RBG technical manager, said, "The modifications and procedures were developed in direct response to feedback received over the last 12 months from our personnel and customers. Our technical team has worked extremely hard to realize these improvements which will bring significant economical and environmental benefits, while delivering the same high quality results."

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COSL Takes Delivery of 12-Streamer Seismic Vessel

COSL Takes Delivery of 12-Streamer Seismic Vessel

Friday, April 22, 2011
China Oilfield Services Ltd.

China Oilfield Services Limited (COSL) has successfully delivered 12-Streamer Seismic Vessel COSL 720 in Shanghai Shipyard Co. Ltd. (Shanghai Shipyard), Chongming Island Base. The ceremony saw attendance of the representatives from COSL, Shanghai Shipyard and their parent companies.

COSL 720 is the first large-scale domestic deep-water seismic vessel invested and constructed by COSL. The vessel will be capable of towing 12 streamers each 8000m long to carry out seismic survey operation. The operational indicators have met the international standards with the capability to perform high-density seismic collection for 50-meter-distance streamer. The vessel can withstand the seismic pressure of 3000PSI (regular collection: 2000PSI), with the endurance of 75 days, designed speed of 16 knots and towing speed of 5 knots, which the speed improved by 30% from the Group's existing seismic vessels and will significantly reduce the mobilization and demobilization time and increase operation efficiency.

As the most advanced deep-water seismic survey vessel built in China so far, COSL 720 is designed to be a safe, highly efficient, environmental-friendly and energy-saving vessel with emphasis on its performance, collection capacity, the equipment stability, energy saving and emission reduction. COSL 720 is equipped with a new generation of seismic collection system, integrated navigation system and lateral control system. Meanwhile, the full set of remote operating system will increase operation efficiency and reduce labor intensity. The vessel is equipped with a complete diesel-electric propulsion system which is able to effectively reduce vessel fuel consumption, vibration and noise. The system also contributes to improve the quality of seismic collection and the comfort of working and living environment for the crew.

After delivery, COSL 720 will commence operation in South China Sea upon completing the collection test of geophysical equipment, the working volume of which is expected to reach 100% in 2011.

Mr. Li Yong, CEO and President of COSL, said, "Global crude oil price picked up from the bottom and hit USD100 per barrel. Oil companies are gradually increasing their demand for oil and gas exploration. This offers good opportunity for the recovery and development of oilfield services, particularly geophysical services, while bringing new requirements for high quality geophysical services in terms of performance of equipment, technical level and work efficiency. Meanwhile, with China's progressive advancement of deep-water exploration, COSL will also further embark on its deep-water oilfield service. The successful delivery of COSL 720 enhances COSL's competitiveness and equipment for geophysical services, and also improves the company's capability of deep-water services. COSL will continually improve the relevant chains for this service, laying solid foundation for China's deep-water operation."

EMAS to Take Delivery of FPSO from Keppel

EMAS to Take Delivery of FPSO from Keppel

Friday, April 15, 2011
Keppel Corp. Ltd.

EMAS Production is set to take delivery of one of Vietnam's largest Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels from Keppel Shipyard Limited (Keppel Shipyard), on behalf of owner PV Keez Pte. Ltd (PV Keez).

To be managed and operated by EMAS Production, FPSO Lewek EMAS has been chartered by Premier Oil Vietnam Offshore B.V. for the development of the Chim Sáo field off southern Vietnam for six years, with a further option to extend the charter by another six years. The FPSO charter contract is one of only seven signed worldwide in 2009, and is worth approximately US$1 billion.

The project to convert the 168,000 dwt Suezmax tanker into an FPSO was awarded to Keppel Shipyard in December 2009. To date, Keppel Shipyard has achieved a good safety record of over 4.1 million incident-free man-hours for its conversion.

Speaking at the vessel's naming ceremony, Mr. Lionel Lee, Group Managing Director of EMAS said, "Lewek EMAS is our second FPSO project with Keppel Shipyard with whom we have established a win-win partnership. This FPSO underscores EMAS' ability to deliver a diverse range of customized marine and offshore support solutions, from design and engineering to maintenance and offshore installation. The addition of Lewek EMAS to our fleet propels EMAS Production to be one of Asia's leading FPSO operators."

Mr. Nelson Yeo, Managing Director of Keppel Shipyard said, "Keppel Shipyard is pleased to support the conversion of Lewek EMAS. We provided a broad spectrum of FPSO conversion services on this project, including the engineering and fabrication of topsides modules.

"In spite of the tight schedule, the project teams for this conversion have worked hard to upkeep the highest standards of quality and safety of our people and workplace. The successful conversion of Lewek EMAS further enhances Keppel as the choice provider of reliable and value-added services."

Lewek EMAS is on track for delivery in the second quarter of 2011, and is expected to begin production in July this year.

A joint venture between Ezra Holdings Limited, PetroVietnam Transportation Corporation, EOC Limited and KSI Production Pte Ltd, PV Keez is the first overseas company to secure an offshore Vietnam loan in order to finance the FPSO's conversion.