South Korea’s DSME delivers midwater rig to Songa Offshore

South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) has delivered midwater rig Songa Endurance to Songa Offshore.

The sixth generation, high specification, harsh environment rig will soon depart and sail to Norway to commence an eight-year drilling contract with Statoil.
Initially, the rig will work on the Troll Field on the Norwegian continental shelf.

According to Songa Offshore, Songa Endurance’s voyage will take place with tow-assist and it will arrive with completion of all third party equipment installation and ready for final acceptance testing.

The rig, which has been designed for a year around drilling, completion and testing, as well as intervention operations in water depths up to 500m, is expected to begin drilling operations by the end of this year.

The DP3-certified Songa Endurance is equipped with a drill-floor in addition to a layout with improved safety and working environment features.
Songa Offshore said the new rig is the second one in a series of four category D rigs that were built for and contracted to Statoil.

The unit is a flexible rig design prepared for future deep water operations and arctic operations, which can be implemented by minor post upgrades.
Other rigs of this category include Songa Equinox, Songa Encourage and Songa Enabler.
Source: Offshore Technology