16 April 2008 - The hull substructure for the world's most advanced drilling rig Aker H-6e has started on its 50 days journey from Dubai to Stord in Norway. Weighing 16 000 tonnes, equalling 16 000 cars, this is one of the largest drilling rigs to be towed. The hull is constructed by Aker Solutions at Drydocks World's Dubai yard and will be towed to Aker Solutions' yard at Stord, situated on the west coast of Norway. There it will be assembled with the topside facility and subject to further construction work prior to delivery.
The 120 meter long hull will be towed through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea, passing the western coasts of Spain and France, entering the North Sea before it reaches its final destination at Stord on the Norwegian west coast late May/early June. Details of the route and a photo are attached at the bottom of this release.
About the Aker H-6e drilling rigs
Aker Solutions has designed and is building two H-6e drilling rigs - the latest-generation of semi-submersible platforms. The H-6e rigs have been specially designed to conquer the challenges of deepwater drilling operations in harsh environments.
H-6e rigs can drill in water depths up to 3 000 meters deep, with a maximum drill string length of 10 000 meters. Drilling operations are mainly conducted within enclosed areas of the topside facilities, for safe, year-round operations. Exposed operating and inspection areas are shielded from wind and water, and a variety of heating systems compensate for Arctic-weather conditions. The H-6e hulls provide enhanced stability, so that drilling can continue in weather conditions that would require other rig designs to shut down.
The H-6e rig is the successor to the world's most widely proven semi-sumersible drilling rig design: Aker Solutions' H3 and H4 rigs, which continue to demonstrate over 30 years of excellent performance around the world. In addition to drilling rigs, Aker Solutions has delivered some of the most advanced and sophisticated field production semi-submersibles in the world, the most recent example is the Kristin platform delivered to StatoilHydro.
Two Aker H-6e rigs, Aker Spitsbergen and Aker Barents, are under construction in 2008 by Aker Solutions.
H-6e facts
Developed and delivered by Aker Solutions.
The film for the rig hull sail away in Dubai can be dowloaded below:
For further information, please contact:
Media:
Mariken Holter, VP Communications, Aker Solutions. Tel: +47 67 52 74 35, Mob: +47 917 87 358
Suppliers:
For further information about sourcing and potential subcontracts for this project, please contact BA Global Sourcing Champion, telephone number found here:
http://www.akersolutions.com/Internet/SuppliersCentre/Contacts/SupplyManagementContacts.htm
For further information about sourcing and potential subcontracts for this project, please contact BA Global Sourcing Champion, telephone number found here:
http://www.akersolutions.com/Internet/SuppliersCentre/Contacts/SupplyManagementContacts.htm
Career opportunities:
Visit http://www.akersolutions.com/Internet/CareerCentre
Visit http://www.akersolutions.com/Internet/CareerCentre
Aker Solutions ASA, through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Aker Solutions"), is a leading global provider of engineering and construction services, technology products and integrated solutions. Aker Solutions' business serves several industries, including oil & gas, refining & chemicals, mining & metals and power generation. The Aker Solutions group is organised in a number of separate legal entities. Aker Solutions is used as the common brand/trademark for most of these entities.
Aker Solutions' parent company is Aker Solutions ASA. Aker Solutions has aggregated annual revenues of approximately NOK 58 billion and employs approximately 24 000 people in about 30 countries.
Aker Solutions is part of Aker (www.akerasa.com), a group of premier companies with a focus on energy, maritime and marine resource industries. The Aker companies share a common set of values and a long tradition of industrial innovation. As an industrial owner controlling 40.27 percent of the shares in Aker Solutions through Aker Holding AS, Aker ASA takes an active role in the development of Aker Solutions.
This press release may include forward-looking information or statements and is subject to our disclaimer, see www.akersolutions.com.