|
ABS Classes New
Generation Constellation Rigs For GlobalSantaFe
 |
An
ABS project team visits GlobalSantaFe offices
in Houston to deliver the jackup Constellation
I Rig Equipment Certification Databook.
Featured here are Paul Law, Project Manager,
GlobalSantaFe; Janice Slater, Vendor Coordinator,
ABS; Robert Bowie, Project Director, ABS; and
Pharr Smith, Vice President - Technical Operation,
GlobalSantaFe.
Consisting of two volumes and a fully indexed
computer CD, the Databook encompasses all ABS
technical documentation for the new generation
jackup rig drilling equipment and vessel service
equipment.
|
|
|
 |
wo high-performance jackup rigs, GlobalSantaFe’s
Constellation I and |
Constellation II, represent a new generation of drilling
rig supported by ABS classification services, vendor coordination
and unified oversight. With the capabilities of operating in
harsh environments, these rigs have additional technical features
that will enable new drilling standards. Constellation I
and Constellation II will stimulate industry development
by reducing critical path time to drill wells.
Classed by ABS as a XA1,
Self Elevating Drilling Unit, XCDS,
the Constellation I unit is the first construction
of the new Friede and Goldman JU 2000 design. From the perspective
of meeting mandatory class requirements, this project demonstrates
how ABS is opening new opportunities for clients, says John
Soland, ABS Project Manager.
Vendor Coordination
“Today, a single offshore project can have
more than 100 equipment vendors and sub-vendors that are equally
important to project delivery. With this many vendors, it
is conceivable that problems with a $2,000-piece of equipment
could delay delivery of a multimillion-dollar facility,”
said Soland.
|
Soland advises that the requirements of competitive vendor pricing
coupled with cautious capital investment have led to increased complexity
in the depth of vendor supply and more industry reliance on sub-tier
vendors. These sub-vendors, often working to the specifications of
primary equipment vendors, may have limited direct experience with
ABS class requirements. Increased numbers of vendors with varying
levels of class experience have made education and coordination of
equipment certification a critical issue, says Soland.
“ABS is well-positioned to play an important part on project
teams, assisting all interested parties and project stakeholders,
and helping ensure that vendor-supplied equipment meets the client’s
needs,” said Soland.
For the Constellation I project, the ABS vendor coordination
team provided step-by-step instruction and coordination of all drilling
equipment vendor activities as well as extended support for builder-furnished
vessel equipment.
Databook Organizes Documents, Reports
As part of the service to GlobalSantaFe, ABS promised
and delivered a customized “Rig Equipment Certification Databook”
containing all ABS design approval letters, independent review certificates,
survey documents and final ABS Certificates of Conformance (COC)
to the ABS Certification of Drilling Systems (CDS) Guide. In addition
to the two-volume hard copy databook, ABS provided a fully indexed
computer CD for ready access to the various documents.
“This book, containing thousands of documents on the Constellation
I jackup, represents a milestone because it is the first time
ABS has put together all the review letters, technical documents
and survey reports in this fashion to assist the client,”
said Soland.
ABS currently is preparing similar databooks for GlobalSantaFe’s
Constellation II jackup and semisubmersibles Development
Driller I and Development Driller II. Constellation
II and Development Driller I are scheduled for delivery
toward the end of first quarter 2004; and Development Driller
II delivers in 2005.
|
