Blackford Dolphin Spuds First Hyedya Well in Ghana Fred Olsen Energy ASA Monday, October 20, 2008
The Blackford Dolphin commenced operations under the contract with Tullow Oil in Ghana on October 10, 2008, and the first well on the Hyedya field has now been spudded.
The drilling unit is now estimated to operate for approximately 200 days for Tullow Oil in Ghana under a five wells program, for thereafter to mobilize to India for the remaining part of the three year contract with Reliance.
GENERAL Name: Blackford Dolphin Flag: Singapore Manager: Dolphin Drilling Ltd. Year Built: 1974. Major Deepwater Upgrade 2006/2007 Builder: Aker Nylands Verksted AS, Oslo, Norway (1974), Keppel Verolme (2006/2007) Design: Aker H3 Classification: DNV + 1A1, R, Column Stabilised Drilling Unit, HELDK-SH, CRANE and Drill
MAIN DIMENSIONS Length: 108,3 m (355,3 ft) Breadth: 84.1 m (276 ft) Height: 36,57 m (120 ft), Main Deck elevation above baseline
OPERATING PARAMETERS Water Depth: 7000 ft Maximum (Outfitted for 6000 ft) Maximum Drilling Depth: 30000 ft (9144 m) Transit Speed: 4,5 knots (towed) Survival Conditions: Hs 16,8 m (Hmax 32 m), Max wind 100 knots, Current velocity 2,0 knots Drilling Conditions: Hs 8,4 m, Max wind 100 knots
DRILLING EQUIPMENT Derrick: 1500 kips (750 st) Static Hookload Capacity, 40 ft x 35 ft x 160 ft Drawworks: NOV SSGD – 4600 with 4 AC Motors Rotary: NOV D-605, 60 ½” opening Topdrive: NOV (Hydralift) HPS 750-E-AC-KT with 750 st Load Capacity Riser Tensioners: 6 x NOV DWRT-200-50 Dual Wireline Tensioners, Max capacity 2,400,000 lbs Motion Compensators: Crown Mounted Compensator, 1500 kips static / 800 kips (363 mt) compensating load Mud Pumps: 3 x NOV 14-P220 with 2200 hp each
MACHINERY Main Power: 4 x Catepillar Model 3612, 3800 KW, 5096 Hp Max continuous power Emergency Power: 1 x Caterpillar 1800 KW Propulsion: In-line propulsion system (Propulsion assist mode only)
SUBSEA SYSTEMS BOP: 18 ¾” Hydril 15k (2 + 3 Cavity) Control System: ABB / Vetco Multiplex system Diverter: Hydril FS 1500 psi Choke and Kill: 3 1/16” RB Pipetech 15k H2S (including Mud Gas Seperator)
MOORING Winches: 8 x NOV BLM W325 AC Single Wildcat, Electric, 293 mt rated pull Wire/Chain: Wire / Chain combination Anchors: 8 off
The tricky part is spudding in. Once the ship starts to trip drill stem down to the ocean floor they will have already set an ocean floor manifold with BOP's in place. To get pipe down to the bottom with a fresh bit could take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours depending on conditions.
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