New Semi-Submersible Drilling Rigs Launched

GustoMSC has launched a new semi-submersible drilling rig series for harsh environment drilling, the OCEAN-HE.

The OCEAN850-HE and OCEAN1600-HE hull shape has been especially designed for low motion characteristics and optimum station keeping capabilities, the independent design and engineering company informed.

“Based on the extensive experience in harsh environment and existing OCEAN designs, these units will add true value to the market in terms of safety, workability and efficiency,” the offshore solutions provider said in a statement.

New Semi-Submersible Drilling Rigs Launched

According to the company, the launch follows a rising demand for harsh environment semi-submersible drilling rigs.

As such, the two models will form the basis for the mid-water and deep water harsh environment regions of operations.

While the OCEAN1600-HE is the top of the range and the largest drilling semi design by the company to date, OCEAN850-HE is a more cost efficient midwater harsh environment design.

OCEAN1600-HE has a maximum displacement of approximately 70,00 tonnes, a large derrick, DP3 and a 16-point mooring system for station keeping, combined with a large deck area and a large variable deck load.

The rig aims to operate in the high spec deep water spectrum and has been designed to handle North Atlantic environmental conditions.

GustoMSC Launches OCEAN-HE Rig Series

The OCEAN850-HE, in the other hand, is a moored-only harsh environment semi-submersible of approximately 50,000 tonnes displacement with a water depth rating of 1,000 metres (3,280 feet) and a sixth-generation efficient single derrick combined with horizontal riser storage.

“In the current market, CAPEX needs to be controlled as well as the OPEC, to enable to work profitably at a reasonable day rate,” GustoMSC said.

GustoMSC has been working in designing and engineering semi-submersible drilling rigs since the 1970s.

The company’s proprietary OCEAN series started in 2008 and already counts on five units built and introduced within weight, budget and time.

“With the introduction of the OCEAN-HE series, GustoMSC is able to provide full coverage of the harsh environment drilling spectrum,” the company added.