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Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) has won the contract to build China’s first deepwater drilling rig for China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) with ABS awarded classification. The rig will be the first built by the Chinese yard which has previously been known for its building of large bulk carriers and floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels.

The rig is scheduled to be delivered in 2010 and the semi-submersible will be capable of drilling in 3,000 meters of water and to a depth of 10,000 meters.

SWS is a joint venture among China State Shipbuilding Corporation, Shanghai Bao Steel Group, Shanghai Electrical Group Corporation, China Shipbuilding Trade Corporation and Jiangnan Shipyard Group located in Shanghai.