First IMI jackup heading to Saudi shipyard

May 18, 2022

Lamprell and International Maritime Industries (IMI) have completed load-out and float-off of the first jackup drilling rig under construction for IMI.

Lamprell's facility, which includes a deepwater quayside, is for the construction of newbuild jackup drilling rigs. The company builds land rigs and provides refurbishment services for offshore and onshore rigs.

Offshore staff

RAS AL KHAIR, Saudi Arabia — Lamprell and International Maritime Industries (IMI) have completed load-out and float-off of the first jackup drilling rig under construction for IMI.

Following mechanical completion and commissioning, the rig will be transferred to IMI’s yard in Ras Al Khair for final commissioning prior to a local offshore deployment.

Since 2020, the two parties have been collaborating to build two new jackups, the second of which is due to be completed within a few months of delivery of the first.

The design of both is based on the Super 116E (enhanced) class, with accommodation for up to 120 people. The project has allowed transfer of technical knowledge and construction know-how from Lamprell to IMI; the parties plan to build further jackups at the IMI yard in the future.

IMI is a joint venture between Saudi Aramco, Bahri, Lamprell and HHI, and it is said to be the largest shipyard in the MENA region at nearly 12 MM sq m in size.

It provides newbuild and maintenance, repair and overhaul services, including for offshore support vessels and jackups. It has guaranteed offtake agreements valued at $10 billion over 10 years, with Aramco and Bahri for the delivery of 20 rigs and 52 vessels.