Pacific Drilling S.A. has taken delivery of its newest drillship, the Pacific Santa Ana. The drillship features the most advanced drilling technology in the offshore drilling industry, including dual load path capability and dual gradient drilling upgrades.
The “PACIFIC SANTA ANA” is an upgraded Dual Activity Samsung 12000 design dynamically-positioned drillship capable of operating in moderate environments and water depths up to 3,657 m (12,000 ft) using 18¾” BOP and 21” OD FT-DGD drilling riser and equipped for single and/or Dual Gradient Drilling (DGD)
The Vessel is expected to commence operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico in Spring 2012 under a 5 year contract with a Chevron subsidiary
Pacific Drilling CEO, Chris Beckett, stated, “We are very proud to announce the delivery of the Pacific Santa Ana. This drillship incorporates the newest advances in offshore drilling technology and is the first ultra-deepwater rig equipped for dual gradient drilling, an innovation that is expected to provide significant benefits in drilling safety and efficiency. The delivery of the Pacific Santa Ana, the fourth rig in our fleet, completes the first phase of Pacific Drilling’s growth strategy to become the industry’s preferred ultra-deepwater drilling contractor.”
The company currently operates four recently delivered drillships and has two additional drillships on order at Samsung to be delivered in 2013.
[mappress] Offshore Energy Today Staff, December 20, 2011; Image: Pacific Drilling