Self propelled drilling rig starts offshore exploration
Ocean Drilling and Exploration Co. recently commissioned its new $12 million self-propelled, semisubmersible drilling rig, Ocean Prospector, at Mitsubishi Shipyard, Japan, where the rig was built. Initial trail runs completed adjacent to the shipyard indicated that the ship has a speed of 7 kn ahead and 3 kn astern. Steering also is reported to be excellent. The rig has a minimum turning radius of approx. 2 barge lengths and shows instant response. This rig is powered by 4 Fairbanks Morse, 10-cylinder opposed piston, model 38D8-1/8 diesel engines. Each engine is rated at 1,600 hp at 720 rpm and they drive eight 1,600 kw, traction type D-C generators and two 1,000 kw A-C generators. The rated operating depth of the unit afloat is 600 ft of water. The overall length of Ocean Prospector is just over 344 ft, with the beam measuring 263-1/2 ft. During transit, when the rig will be completely deballasted, it will have a draft of approx. 20 ft. When it reaches the drilling site, ballast water will be pumped into the 18 ballast tanks until the draft is increased to 70 ft. At this point, the underside of the main deck will be 50 ft above the mean surface of the sea. Drilling operations will be conducted while the rig is at the 70 ft draft. The mooring system will consist of eight 2-3/4 in. chains, each measuring 3,300 ft in length and connected to a 15-ton anchor.
- OSTI ID:
- 5825361
- Journal Information:
- Diesel Gas Turbine Prog.; (United States), Vol. 37:5
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
42 ENGINEERING
DRILLING RIGS
SPECIFICATIONS
DESIGN
DIESEL ENGINES
EXPLORATION
OFFSHORE OPERATIONS
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
PROPULSION
TESTING
WELL DRILLING
DRILLING
ENERGY SOURCES
ENGINES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HEAT ENGINES
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
423000 - Engineering- Marine Engineering- (1980-)