DNV GL approves CMHI’s design for arctic single column drilling unit

Classification society DNV GL has presented China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) with an Approval in Principle (AiP) certificate for an arctic single column drilling unit.

Presentation of the AIPs in Shanghai; Source: DNV GL
SCDU; Image source: DNV GL

Apart from the arctic single column drilling unit, DNV GL also awarded an AiP to CMHI for a wind turbine shuttle.

DNV GL said that the certificates confirm that it assessed each of the two designs according to class rules and found no significant obstacles exist to prevent the concept from being realized.

DNV GL’s head of technical center China Falk Rothe handed over the two certificates to Lixin Xu from China Merchants Offshore Technology and Research Center.

As for the arctic single column drilling unit (SCDU), it consists of a round floater with an upper and a lower hull, an enclosed deckhouse, and a round footing.

It is designed for well workover, exploration, and development drilling operations in water depths up to 700 meters in moderate environments, including the Arctic and sub-Arctic areas – up to 1.5-meter ice thickness – moored by a 16-point mooring system.

The round conical shape of the strengthened hull structure is designed to deflect and break the ice, protecting the drilling riser and other equipment in the moonpool against level ice.

Norbert Kray, DNV GL’s regional manager for Greater China, said: “CMHI and DNV GL have been partners in strategic cooperation for many years. Together, we both aim to not only set industry standards in ship and offshore unit designs but contribute to safer and more environmental-friendly operation.”


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