On 26 October, the delivery ceremony for China’s first deepwater semi-submersible drilling platform, the COSLPIONEER, was held in Yantai. The ceremony was attended by Vice Director of Equipment Industry Department of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Mr. Li Dong, Deputy Director of Energy Saving & Science Equipment Department of National Energy Administration Ms. Huang Li, Office Director of Science and Technological Industry of National Defense in Shandong Province Mr. Wang Chaoying, Mayor of Yantai City Mr. Zhang Jiangting, Vice Mayor of Yantai City Mr. Wang Guoqun, Deputy General Manager of China National Offshore Oil Corporation and Chairman of COSL Mr. Liu Jian, Chief Executive Officer and President of COSL Mr. Li Yong, President of China Merchants Group and Chairman of CIMC Group Ltd., Mr. Li Jianhong, President of CIMC Group and Chairman of the Board of CIMC Raffles Offshore (Singapore) Mr. Mai Boliang, Chairman of Yantai CIMC Raffles Mr. Yu Ya, Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of Yantai CIMC Raffles Mr. Brian Chang, Ambassador of Kingdom of Norway Mr. Svein Ole Saether, and President of DNV Mr. Tor E. Svensen.
The COSLPIONEER is built by Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore Limited (CIMC Raffles: CIMC Group’s offshore subsidiary) for COSL Drilling Europe AS (CDE: a wholly-owned subsidiary of COSL). It is the first deepwater semi-submersible drilling platform delivered by China’s offshore industry, marking a successful entry by a China builder into the high-tech offshore market presently dominated by yards in South Korea and Singapore.
CIMC Raffles pioneered a series of innovative methodologies during the construction of the COSLPIONEER, including complete fabrication on land, launching of mega blocks onto a load-out barge, mating of upper and lower hulls using the builder’s landmark 20,000-ton Taisun crane, and underwaer installation of thrusters alongside an 18-metre deep water berth. It also undertook the commissioning of all maritime systems prior to sea trials. These innovative methods and capabilities, developed by CIMC Raffles, set a unique blueprint for large offshore construction projects.
The COSLPIONEER was designed and built in accordance to applicable laws, regulations and standards for operation in the North Sea. In addition to meeting conventional requirements for semi-submersible drilling platforms, the COSLPIONEER also fulfils the requirements set by the Norwegian Petroleum Safety Administration, Norwegian Maritime Directorate, DNV and NORSOK, allowing it to operate in the North Sea, as well as other regions around the world. The platform has an overall length of 104.5 metres, a module width of 65 metres and a module depth of 36.85 metres. It has a design draft from 9.5 metres to 17.75 metres, an operating water depth of 70 – 750 metres, a maximum design wind speed of 51.5 metres per second, a maximum vertical drilling depth of 7,500 metres, and a maximum variable deck load of 4,000 tonnes. The multi-function platform also is able to accommodate 120 personnel.
As one of the most advanced deepwater semi-submersible drilling platforms built in China, the COSLPIONEER features 2 station-keeping systems. Specifically, it is equipped with both position mooring and DP3 dynamic positioning systems. A DP3 dynamic positioning system enhances safety standards by ensuring continued platform operations in the event of system malfunctions, while having a conventional position mooring system (in suitable regions) helps reduce operating costs. Additionally, all maritime systems can be remotely operated from the bridge deck and engine control room, effectively enabling unattended machinery space.
Key equipment on the COSLPIONEER was sourced from established offshore vendors selected based on technology requirements, reliability, function, service, etc. The drilling package fulfils the latest industrial regulations and standards. The blow-out preventer, with a working pressure of 15,000 psi, is equipped with emergency pipe cutting and sealing capabilities that can be activated remotely by hydraulic, sonar or robotic means. This effectively prevents kicks, blowouts, oil spills and other accidents. The drilling platform is also equipped with a “Christmas tree” installation system and a riser suspension system, which together allow production systems to be installed while drilling operations are underway. This increases operational efficiency and reduces cost.
As one of the first platforms to be constructed wholly compliant with new Acknowledgment of Compliance (AoC) standards introduced by the Norwegian Petroleum Safety Administration in 2004, the design and construction of the COSLPIONEER considered all potential operational risks, including safety, environmental pollution, equipment damage, platform accidents etc. Adequate risk management measures were undertaken from the perspectives of risk analysis, technical applications, general arrangement, system design, equipment assignments and level of automation. The platform also provides a safe and conducive environment for personnel working and living on board. For example, the drilling operation and elevation of drilling tools are fully automated, further enhancing safety standards.
Environmental credentials wise, the platform is designed to comply with a zero discharge policy. Solid debris is transferred onshore for disposal, and various wastewater treatment systems ensure that sewage and industrial waste, and rain, are adequately treated before disposal at sea.
Mr Mai said, ‘The completion of the COSLPIONEER showcases the breakthrough design and rig-building capabilities of CIMC Raffles, and the successful delivery of this platform is a milestone start point as we strive towards becoming a world-class offshore builder’.
