Shtokman rigs for Sakhalin drilling
The two semi-submersible drilling rigs originally planned for the Shtokman project in the Barents Sea will soon start drilling off Sakhalin in Russia’s Far East.
The rigs “Severnoye Siyanie” (Northern Lights) and “Polyarnaya Zvezda” (Polar Star) are both in the final phase of preparations and drilling is due to start in 2012. The semi-submersible rigs – among the world’s biggest of its kind – were originally built as part of the Shtokman project, but are now instead to operate in the waters off Sakhalin in the Russian Far East.
Read also: Ceremony for Shtokman drilling rigs
The construction of the rigs was started in the Baltic yard of Vyborg in 2007. The delays in the Shtokman project made Gazprom-subsidiary Gazflot re-assign the rigs to Sakhalin. The two rigs are currently docked at the Kholm Sea Port at Sakhalin, Oilru.com reports. It is not clear whether the two rigs will be transferred to the Barents Sea ahead of the Shtokman project launch in 2016-2017.
Read also: Shtokman start-up might be delayed
According to captain of the “Severnaya Siyanie”, Andrei Brazhni, the rigs are unique not only because of their size, but also because of their mobility. They can easily move around without assistance from tugboats to any destination with sufficiently high speed, Brazhni told news broadcaster Vesti.
The rigs have been built in partnership with the South Korean Samsung Heavy Industries. The two units are designed for drilling up to 7500 meter deep wells at sea depth up to 500 meters. The semi-submersible rigs are capable to operate in the Arctic conditions in difficult ice conditions.
