South Korea: SHI Delivers New Drillship Pacific Santa Ana

Pacific Drilling S.A. has received delivery of its newest drillship, the Pacific Santa Ana from Samsung Heavy Industries’ Geoje shipyard. 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).

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.”

With its best-in-class drillships and highly experienced team, Pacific Drilling is a fast growing company that is committed to becoming the industry’s preferred ultra-deepwater drilling contractor. Pacific Drilling’s fleet of six ultra-deepwater drillships will represent one of the youngest and most technologically advanced fleets in the world. The company currently operates four recently delivered drillships and has two additional drillships on order at Samsung to be delivered in 2013.

MAIN DIMENSIONS

Length: 748 ft / 228 m

Breadth: 137 ft / 42 m

Depth: 62 ft / 19 m

Transit draft: 28 ft / 8.5 m

Operating draft: 39 ft / 12 m

Maximum load displacement 105,800 ST / 96, 000 MT

Variable deck load – Operating 22,046 ST / 20,000 MT

Variable deck load – Transit 18,740 ST / 17,000 MT

Variable deck load – Survival 22,046 ST / 20,000 MT

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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, December 20, 2011; Image: pacificdrilling