Ensco plc has taken delivery of ENSCO 120, the first in its series of three ultra-premium, harsh-environment jackup rigs. The rig is contracted to work for Nexen in the North Sea beginning in the 4Q 2013 at a day rate of about US$230,000 plus cost adjustments.
ENSCO 120 was constructed at the Keppel FELS yard in Singapore and is now en route to the North Sea for final outfitting and crew familiarization. In jackup trials, the rig set a new shipyard record when it was jacked up successfully to 539ft on its 540ft-long legs. The rig also successfully hoisted a 2.5-million-pound hook load at its full, cantilever extension.
These new jackup rigs are enhanced versions of the KFELS Super A design. Capable of operating in water depths up to 400ft, ENSCO 120 Series rigs are designed for large multi-well platform programs, ultra-deep gas programs, or ultra-long reach wells up to 40,000ft total drilling depth. The features of the rigs significantly increase the area of operability in the Central North Sea and other harsh environment regions.
The rigs have a significantly improved cantilever envelope, 18-3/4-in., 15,000psi, 4-ram BOP; 2.5 million-pound quad derrick, enhanced rig floor layout, fully-automated hands-free offline pipe handling systems, ultra-high capacity jacking and fixation systems, 150-person quarters, and strict noise and ergonomic standards. These features previously were found only in the largest ultra-harsh environment jackup rigs.
In jackup trials, the rig was raised to 539ft, setting a new record for the Keppel FELS shipyard in Singapore. Chairman, president and chief executive officer Dan Rabun commented, “With the ENSCO 120 Series, we have taken a high-specification rig design and enhanced it with features that make it the most capable rig of its class. The proprietary cantilever system and deep-well capabilities of ENSCO 120, paired with our skilled crews’ knowledge and experience in the region, are a winning combination for our customers.”
ENSCO 121, the second rig in the series, is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter. It is contracted to work for Wintershall, also in the North Sea
Image: Ensco 120 jacking trial.
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