Petrobras contracts construction of seven rigs

Bruce Beaubouef • Houston

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. has contracted the construction of seven drilling rigs to Estaleiro Atlântico Sul at a total cost of $4.6 billion, or a unit price of $662 million. Petrobras will assign the construction contracts to Sete Brasil S.A which will charter the rigs.

Day rate for each rig is estimated at $430,000-$475,000. The first rig is scheduled to start operating in 2015.

A third bidding process to contract the chartering of packages up to four rigs is still under analysis and should be completed in no more than 30 days, Petrobras says.

Technip wins FLNG engineering contract

Technip, in a consortium with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd., has been awarded by Petroliam Nasional Berhad and MISC Berhad a front-end engineering and design contract for a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) unit. The FLNG, which will have a capacity of one million-tons per annum, will be located in Malaysia. Technip’s operating centers in Paris and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, will execute the contract, which is scheduled to be completed by the second half of 2011.

Ensco orders two jackups from Keppel

Ensco plc says it has finalized a fixed price construction contact with Keppel FELS Ltd. in Singapore for two newbuild harsh environment jackup drilling rigs. The first is scheduled for 2Q 2013 delivery and the second for 4Q 2013.

Cost per rig is given as $230 million and includes commissioning, system integration testing, and project management. Ensco also has until August 2011 to exercise an option for two more jackups of similar design.

The rigs will be based on the KFELS Super A design for water depths of 400 ft (122 m). Each will have high-pressure/high-temperature equipment, an improved cantilever envelope, 2.5 million pound quad derrick, fully automated pipe handling, high capacity jacking and fixation systems, and 150 person quarters.

Atwood orders new drillship

Atwood Oceanics Pacific Ltd. has executed a turn-key contract for a new ultra-deepwater drillship from Daewood Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. TheAtwood Advantage is to be delivered by the end of September 2013 at a cost of $600 million.

TheAtwood Advantage will be a DP-3, dual derrick drillship rated to operate in water depths up to 12,000 ft (~3,650 m) and to drill to a depth of 40,000 ft (12,192 m). The Atwood Advantage will also have enhanced technical capabilities, including a seven-ram BOP, three 100-ton knuckle boom cranes, a 165-ton active heave “tree-running” knuckle boom crane, and 200 person accommodations.

Noble to construct two ultra-deepwater drillships

Noble Corp. has contracted with Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. for construction of two ultra-deepwater drillships. Deliveries are expected in 2Q and 4Q of 2013 at a cost of $650 million each.

The rigs are to be based on a Hyundai Gusto P10000 hull design for operations in waters of up to 12,000 ft (~3,650 m), although either may be outfitted for less depending on specific contract requirements. Each unit will have DP-3 station keeping, the ability to handle two complete BOP systems, a heave compensated construction crane to facilitate deployment of subsea production equipment, and accommodations for up to 200 personnel.

“We believe the fundamentals of the global ultra-deepwater market will continue to be strong in the decade ahead,” said David W. Williams, chairman, president and CEO, Noble Corp. “These units, capable of meeting the industry’s most stringent operating requirements, further support our continued commitment to increasing the technological and operational capabilities of our fleet. Furthermore, the previously announced Letter of Intent from Shell for one unit reduces the speculative risk and enhances future shareholder value.”

Dockwise selects HHI to build mammoth transporter

Dockwise has contracted Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to build its new transportation vessel, designed for ultra-large offshore consignments. The vessel is scheduled for delivery during 4Q 2012, following sea trials.

Dockwise has categorized the vessel “Type 0” (T-0) to reflect its size. Previously Type 1 was the largest class, providing cargo capabilities of 41,000-73,000 tons. Dockwise currently has two Type 1 units in service.

The new vessel, with an overall deck size of 275 x 70 m (902 x 229 ft), and a novel bow-less design, will offer a carrying capacity of over 110,000 tons. Dockwise says it will be the first of its kind in the maritime transport industry.

The T-0 specification is subject to further detailed design engineering, following consultations with clients and HHI’s offshore division. Total cost of the vessel, including all project and design costs, is estimated at $240 million.

Purpose-built vessel to handle Statoil subsea contract

Statoil has awarded a $260-million frame contract to Subsea 7 for inspection, maintenance, and repair (IMR) of subsea installations and pipelines across northwest Europe.

“With increased focus on lifetime extensions and opportunities for enhanced oil and gas production by using existing infrastructure, there is a growing need for such subsea services,” said Jon Arnt Jacobsen, Statoil’s chief procurement officer.

The contract covers provision of a dedicated vessel on a full-time basis, plus project management and engineering support, for ROV-based IMR work in the Norwegian Sea and North Sea, starting July 1.

Subsea 7 has entered into an eight-year contract with Eidesvik Offshore to provide a new IMR vessel for this program, the UlsteinSX148, which is due to be delivered in late 2012.

In addition to IMR duties, theSX148 can be used for well stimulation operations.

According to Ulstein, the moon pool is located centrally in the ship’s hangar, in a layout providing a spacious and safe indoor work area on the main deck. It accommodates three ROVs and a module handling system.

Also onboard is a 100-metric ton (11-ton) active heave-compensated crane to be used mainly for lifting/lowering heavy equipment from/to the sea floor. The vessel’s high freeboard means that the work deck is high above the waterline, which Ulstein says enhances the safety of the deck crew.

The vessel can perform demanding operations in harsh weather conditions – its X-BOW hull line design reduces hull motion induced by high waves. It is also ice-reinforced for arctic conditions.

The new vessel will be 106.5 m (349 ft) long and 24.5 m (80.3 ft) wide with a top speed of over 17 knots, and will be accommodated 90 personnel.