Singaporean builder Keppel FELS has awarded Norway's TMC Compressors of the Seas (TMC) a contract to deliver an energy-saving marine compressed air system to the first mid-water semi-submersible drilling rig the yard is building for Awilco Drilling.
According to UK-based Awilco, the newbuild will be the most environmentally friendly drilling rig offered in the harsh environment market. The rig will be of the CS 60 ECO MW design. It is scheduled for delivery in March 2021.
TMC said it will deliver a complete marine compressed instrument air system that consists of a compressor bank with a combination of both base-load and frequency-controlled TMC Smart Air instrument air compressors, as well as associated air dryers and filters. The system will be equipped with peak shaving technology, which reduces power consumption during periods of maximum demand on the on board power supply.
“Despite the size of the rig and its significant operational envelope, we will actually deliver a very compact compressor system. New, energy-efficient technologies remove the need for over-dimensioned equipment, which helps keep the cost of rig down too. Integrating our Smart Air compressor technology within the total compressed air system also means that all the compressors will benefit from the energy saving features of the Smart Air compressor, which will help reduce operational costs too to a minimum,” said Hans Petter Tanum, TMC’s director of sales and business development.
TMC has not disclosed the value of the contract, but states that this is a “major contract win for the company”.
Boasting a low environmental footprint, Awilco’s drilling rig is winterized and designed for operations in harsh environments, including the Norwegian Continental Shelf, UK Continental shelf and Barents Sea. According to Keppel FELS, the rig is also equipped with state-of-the-art digitalization, including condition monitoring systems, which will enhance the drilling efficiency and reliability of the rig, while reducing likelihood of downtime.
“This will become the world’s most environmental friendly drilling rig for harsh conditions. To achieve this, we depend on suppliers that can deliver the market’s most, energy-efficient equipment and technologies. TMC’s compressed instrument air system falls into this category,” said Claus Mørch, project director at Awilco Drilling Plc.
“In earlier years, offshore yards often preferred to buy various pieces of compressor kit from different suppliers. However, as rig owners and operators as well as the yards are increasingly focusing on energy efficiency and reduced opex, they often prefer a system supplier that can develop and integrate the entire marine compressed air system, which must match the overall environmental profile of the rig. That is why suppliers with a technology leadership are chosen for high value assets such as this Awilco rig,” Tanum said.