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Known for its operations in the Gulf of Mexico, Blake Drilling and Workover Co., an affiliate of Blake Offshore LLC, will build two self propelled, multi-service jackup vessels designed to operate internationally. The vessels will be the first of their type designed and built to stringent MODU specifications making these rigs distinct from liftboats. ABS will class the vessels as Self Propelled Mobile Offshore, Jackup Well Servicing Units using its MODU Rules.

The rigs are a cross between a conventional jackup drilling rig and a liftboat featuring a crane with open deck space that can be used for multiple purposes.

The Blake multi-purpose well service and side-tracking units are designed by Zentech, Inc. of Houston and are designed for deep water support and service. Construction on the rigs will begin the third quarter of this year. ABS is the leader in offshore classification with more than 75 percent of all MODUs currently on order building to ABS class.