Energy News April 2008

Romania Driller GSP Upgrades

Demand for drilling capacity has kept the offshore market busy, with some drillers reporting record-breaking financial results for 2006 and 2007. One recent drilling success story can be found in Eastern Europe with Romania’s Constantza-based Grup Servicii Petroliere (GSP).

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The Jupiter jackup drilling rig from Romania’s GSP has undergone refurbishment to ABS standards and was transferred to ABS class on redelivery.

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An Eastern Europe offshore success story has been ABS assisting Romania’s Constanza-based Grup Servicii Petroliere (GSP) with the upgrade of three of its offshore jackup drilling rigs. ABS surveyors meet with GSP and others involved in the refurbishment.
From left: Roger Walter, Lamprell Shipyard; Paul Nichiforov, Investment and Development Manager,GSP; Fanel Hahui, Director, GSP; Antonios Bessis, Senior Surveyor-in-Charge, ABS Constantza; Ion Ene, Surveyor, ABS Constantza.

This offshore driller has embarked on an extensive modernization process for three of its five drilling rigs and has enlisted the help of ABS for the upgrades to its Jupiter, Prometeu and Saturn units.

“GSP is performing major modifications to its rig fleet in order to stay competitive with the demands of the offshore industry,” said Antonios Bessis, ABS Senior Surveyor-in-Charge, Constantza. “With the joint cooperation of Lamprell Shipyard, United Arab Emirates and Mack Engineering, the ‘Jupiter’ underwent major upgrading, with a substantial portion taking place in the Victor Lenac Shipyard, Rijeka, Croatia.” The unit was then towed to Constantza, Romania where the modifications were completed in November 2007 in conjunction with transfer of class surveys to ABS. “It was teamwork. There was a smooth transition from Croatia to Romania,” commented Bessis.

Bessis says the refurbishment was no small task. A new cantilever module as well as other key structures were fabricated for Jupiter. Five existing engine packages, mud pumps and the emergency generator were changed out as well as cabling with the installation of a purpose built Cavotec cable management system. The accommodation unit was stripped down and refurbished to provide for a total of 95 personnel on board. With its refurbishment, the ‘Jupiter’ is now an independent leg cantilever jackup with a drilling depth of 19,800 feet.

The unit Prometeu was also transferred to ABS class at the end of 2007 and the Saturn unit will undergo refurbishment in 2008-2009 with eventual transfer of class to ABS.

In addition to overseeing the jackup ugrades, Bessis says plans are for GSP to order two more jackups in the United Arab Emirates. Both projects will involve ABS. “We are proud of establishing a relationship with GSP,” said Bessis. “This is just the beginning of a new frontier in the Black Sea offshore activities for us,” he added.

NEWS UPDATE

ABS Secures GSP New Construction Vessel

GSP Drilling has entered into a design contract for a new generation multi-purpose construction vessel. The design specifications call for ABS classification and the vessel will be the first of its kind with pipelay, heavy lift and tender assist drilling capability in one unit. The design, based on the Seabarge 3000, will be classed DP3 , with the main crane capable of lifting 1,800 tonnes. The vessel will also have eight thrusters. The main crane will be located at the starboard side of the vessel, allowing for free deck space to hook up a gangway in tender assist drilling mode.

The vessel has been called an “all-in-one offshore solution” capable of working in all geographic areas, including deepwater.