Pride orders new drillship

Offshore staff

HOUSTON – Pride International Inc. has contracted Samsung Heavy Industries Ltd. to build a fifth ultra-deepwater drillship for $600 million. The vessel will be built in Geoje, South Korea, with a mid-2013 delivery target.

The new drillship, to be named at a later date, is based on an SHI proprietary hull design measuring 750 ft (229 m) long and 140 ft (43 m) wide. The rig is designed for drilling in water depths of up to 12,000 ft (3,658 m), with a total vertical drilling depth of 40,000 ft (12,192 m), and will offer a pay load in excess of 20,000 metric tons (22,046 tons) and a 1,250-ton hoisting system.

The rig will be equipped with dynamic positioning in compliance with DPS-3 certification, six-5.5 MW thrusters, expanded drilling fluids capacity, a 15,000 psi subsea well control system and upgraded system handling, and living quarters for up to 200 personnel.

12/14/2010