Keel laying ceremony for new jack-up rig in China

China’s Huangpu Shipyard recently held the keel laying ceremony for the H6001 R-550D Zentech jack-up rig being built for Alliance Offshore Drilling (AOD).

The R550-D is a Zentech-designed jack-up drilling rig capable of operating in a water depth of up to 400 feet (121.9 meters).

According to China’s TSC this will be a high performance, three legged, extended reach cantilever type jack-up drilling rig, designed for worldwide service in up to 400 feet water depth.  The design has been approved by the American Bureau of Shipping.

“The R550-D rig successfully combines Huangpu Shipyards’ shipbuilding strengths with TSC’s integrated drilling package, project management, commissioning and service expertise. This cooperation will help raise a new generation and brand of high performance jack-up platforms in the offshore industry,” reads a statement by China’s TSC.