Frigstad Kristiansand, the second ultra-deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig build by CIMC Raffles for Frigstad, completed mating in Yantai Shipyard, China, yesterday.
As one of the deepest operating and drilling semisubmersible rigs, Frigstad Kristiansand can be operated up to 3658m water depth and can drill to 15,250m depth. It is equipped with a DP3 system and dual derrick and is classed by DNV.
The mating operation was described as one of the heaviest lifts ever undertaken by a conventional crane, according to Frigstad, involving a 18,000-tonne lift. It is also the 13th mating for CIMC Raffles' Taisun Crane.
Frigstad Kristiansand adopts the Frigstad D90 basic design, from Frigstad Engineering. Its detailed and production designs are completed by CIMC Raffles.
Compared to the building of the first of the two ultra-deepwater units, the Frigstad Shekou, Frigstad Kristiansand man hours were reduced to 2.5 million, said CIMC.
Frigstad's first D90 designed unit, a smaller unit to the two latest ultra-deepwater units Shekou and Kristiansand, was delivered in 2011 and is working offshore West Africa.
The Frigstad Kristiansand is scheduled for delivery in Q2 2017, while the Frigstad Shekou is expected to be completed 6 months earlier, in Q4 of 2016. Both rigs are under Frigstad Offshores management.
