New drilling rigs for Arctic climate
Norwegian offshore drilling contractor Aker Drilling has completed construction of two semi-submersible drilling rigs for harsh environment and ultra-deep water drilling.
During the summer 2009 Aker Drilling‘s two top-of-the-class sixth generation semi-submersible drilling rigs for harsh environment and ultra-deep water drilling will be ready for operations, the company’s web site reads. The rigs are designed for drilling under Arctic conditions in the Barents Sea and other areas.
According to Teknisk Ukeblad, the rigs are the largest in the world. They were built at Aker Kværner’s offshore yard in Stord, Norway.
The first rig in the series Aker H6e, “Aker Spitsbergen” is hired by StatoilHydro for five years. The second and so far the last rig, “Aker Barents” is hired by Aker Exploration for three years. The day rate is 520 000 USD.
The naming ceremony for “Aker Barents” will take place June 28. Afterwards the rig will go to the North Sea to drill its first exploration well, Teknisk Ukeblad writes.
Watch video from the construction site on YouTube
