In this video, Shell shows the operation of the Noble Globetrotter II as it passed through the Bosphorus Bridge.
The vessel is equipped with a multipurpose tower (MPT) specially designed to easily enter the Bosphorus. Its removable top section bolted in place allows it to be lifted off by the rig’s own crane, allowing the operation to be completed in 13 days compared to a normal duration of four to six weeks for conventional rigs.
As the Bosphorus Bridge only has a 64m air-gap, any drilling rig with a conventional derrick would not be able to fit under the bridge, and require time-and cost-intensive modifications before and after the passage. This has historically caused significant mobilization costs to previous well projects in the Black Sea.
The vessel passed through the Bosphorus in January on its way to TPAO-Shell’s Block 3920 in the western Black Sea where it will drill a key exploration well, approximately 100km offshore in water depths of about 2000m.
The Noble Globetrotter II drillship was commissioned by Shell in 2013, and is equipped with the latest technology to ensure safe and efficient operations in remote deepwater areas.
The vessel left West Africa where it had previously drilled the successful Leopard-1 well, and arrived in Turkey’s waters on December 21.
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