News
Semi-submersible drilling rig "Polar Star" has been put into operation to build production wells on Kirinskoye gas-condensate field
The Polyarnaya Zvezda (Polar Star) semi-submersible rig constructed by Vyborg Shipyard JSC in 2011 has been put into operation on Kirinskoye gas-condensate field in the Sea of Okhotsk. The production wells are equipped by Gazprom JSC as part of the Sakhalin-3 project in far eastern Russia.
As reported by press office of Gazprom JSC at the present time an exploratory well is being converted for use in production, plans for the near future are to start drilling another production well. The project will become the first on the Russian shelf to produce gas through a subsea production system.
Reference
The contract for construction of semi-submersible drilling rigs “Polar Star" and "Northern Lights" was awarded to Vyborg Shipyard JSC in 2007. For the purpose to shorten the project production period lower hull was fabricated at Vyborg Shipyard JSC and topside was subcontracted to Samsung Heavy Industries in Korea.
Displacement of the SSFDRs is 55 700 t each. The Rigs are self-propelled of catamaran type based on concept design MOSS CS-50 MK-II VI generation with two pontoons and six stabilizing columns supporting the upper hull and topside. The Rigs are designed to operate in arctic conditions wave up to 32m in drifting ice thickness to 70 cm at temperatures down to – 30 degrees C in water depth to 500m, drilling depth 7 500 m. Besides, the Rigs are provided with comfortable accommodation for the crew number 128.
Rated life of the Rigs is 20 years with the provision for further extension.