World’s first circular ultra-deep-water drilling rig delivered with DNV class

Sevan Marine's Sevan Driller, the world's first cylindrical drilling unit, has completed sea trials off the coast of China on November 23, 2009, and has started its voyage to Brasil for commencement of a six-year contract with Petrobras S.A.

The Sevan Driller will operate initially in the Campos basin at water depths of 1,800 meters. The rig is capable of drilling wells up to 13,500 meters (40,000 feet) in water depths of up to 4,200 meters (12,500 feet). It is dynamically positioned with its own propellers, which receives GPS positioning signals. The rig is designed to operate in temperatures down to minus 20 degrees Centigrade. It has an internal storage capacity of up to 150,000 barrels of oil.

The Sevan Driller was constructed by COSCO Shipyard. The construction started at COSCO Nantong Shipyard in May 2007 and then moved to COSCO's Qidong Shipyard in April for derrick erection and final commissioning activities.

DNV is the class society of the Sevan Driller. It's a big achievement for a Chinese shipyard to construct such a complex offshore unit from beginning to end within 30 months. COSCO Shipyard has demonstrated its unswerving pursuit of technology and quality during the construction.

(Source: Maritime Market)