Newbuild COSLProspector Semisub Commences Sea Trial Offshore China

Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore Limited reported Wednesday that COSLProspector (mid-water semisub), the fourth semisubmersible drilling rig provided to China Oilfield Services Ltd. (COSL), set off on a sea trial today under the supervision of Yantai Harbor Pilotage and Beihai Resure Bureau in China.

This sea trial, organized by CIMC Raffles, COSL, DVN, CCS, Rolls-Royce, Simens and Congsburg, aims to commission and test 609 sub-systems and 70 systems, including thrusters, PMS, DP, Close Ring, FMEA, communication, endurance capability, automatic cabin, lifesaving and mooring. During the sea trial, the engine management system close ring test will be applied for the first time to the semisubmersible. Compared with usual power distribution design, it will reduce dynamos and 5 percent fuel. This environmentally-friendly system will be the mainstream power distribution design in high-performance semisubmersible drilling rig.

COSLProspector is 343 feet (104.5 meters) long, 231 feet (70.5 meters) wide, 123 feet (37.55 meters) high. The DNV and CCS-class semisub can operate and drill at depths up to 4,921 feet (1,500 meters) and 24,934 feet (7,600 meters), respectively and has accommodation for 130. With over 10,000 control and alarm sets, the system is highly automated and has remote monitoring in the cabin. The platform is equipped with the most advanced NOV and DP3 systems, approved by PSA and NORSOK. In addition to the North Sea, the semisub can work in any waters.

In accordance with the "Quality Projects" standard, CIMC Raffles made breakthroughs in platform construction and design, hull structure, pipe electric installation, which was highly recognized by COSL. Compared with other three delivered semisubmersibles, the MC amount of this platform increases 45 percent, reaching 46,500 totally, and get through the strict test before seal trial.

CIMC Raffles commissioning team owned advanced system and process that can control MC and commissioning through PDCS system. Besides, it can realize dynamic quantization management to installation inspection procedure and inspection opinions, ensuring detailed and complete document tracking and generate the required real-time monitoring project progress reports. The database system gets through twice by Statoil and has now become the core data management system of the marine project.

Construction of the COSLPropsector commenced July 3, 2012. COSLProspector is expected to be delivered shortly after the sea trial.