Offshore staff
SINGAPORE -- A $270 million contract for design and construction of a semisubmersible destined for Brazil is announced by Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd. through Keppel FELS Ltd.
The semisubmersible will be based on a fifth-generation deepwater design, the DSSTM 38, for Brazilian drilling contractor Queiroz Galvao Perfuracoes. Delivery is scheduled in 3Q09. QGP will supply the drilling and subsea equipment.
The DSSTM 38 is rated to drill to depths of 30,000 ft below mud line in just over 9,000 ft water depth. It is 99.5 m in overall length, with a main deck size of 69.5 m wide by 69.5 m breadth. Its maximum operational displacement is approximately 40,000 metric tons at a draft of 20.5 m.
The maximum variable deck load of the DSSTM 38 is 5,500 metric tons, with accommodations for 130 men. It has both vertical and horizontal riser storage.
The eight 3000kW azimuthing thrusters configuration are designed to keep the vessel in position. All configurations comply with the American Bureau of Shipping Dynamic Positioned System (DPS-2) requirements.
The DSSTM series of semisubmersbile rigs is jointly designed by Keppel O&M's Deepwater Technology Group and Marine Structures Consultants of The Netherlands.
"The DSSTM 38 is one of the latest designs created and on receiving feedback from the owners, operators and the building experience gained from the construction of the DSSTM 20, DSSTM 21 and DSSTM 51 submersible rigs. Experience from the three rigs gone into the technology and design of the DSSTM 38," said Keppel O&M managing director/chief operating officer Tong Chong Heong.
