VESSEL REVIEW | Zhenhai Liu Hao – New Chinese-built jackup boasts 10,000 metres maximum drilling depth

China Oilfield Services (COSL), a company under the Sinoocean Group, has taken delivery of a new jackup offshore drilling rig from local shipyard Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC).

Zhenhai Liu Hao ("Zhenhai No 6") utilises an ABS-classed design that was developed by US-based engineering firm Friede and Goldman (F&G) for manufacture by various international shipyards. Although originally developed for operation in the North Sea, the design has proven equally effective in other regions with harsh ocean environments.

The new rig has an LOA of 70.4 metres, a beam of 76 metres, a depth of 9.45 metres, a transit draught of 6.67 metres, a minimum displacement of 18,100 tonnes, and accommodations for 140 personnel. It can operate in water depths of as much as 122 metres while its maximum drilling depth is rated at 10,668 metres.

The rig is fitted with a drilling equipment system package supplied by NOV. This enables the vessel to operate safely even under severe sea and weather conditions and temperatures as low as –20 degrees Celsius.

The drilling equipment draws power from six Caterpillar 3516B diesel engines that each produce 1,603 kW at 1,200 rpm. There are also six KATO 1,530ekW generators to supply power for the other onboard systems. A Caterpillar 3512B will be used in the event of an emergency.

A flight deck can accommodate a 12-tonne helicopter. The other deck equipment includes an 80-tonne capacity crane and two smaller cranes that can lift up to 50 tonnes each.

Zhenhai Liu Hao will be deployed for work on an unnamed oil field in the East China Sea.

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