2001 Maritime Services Directory  Reserve your copy now! Also available on CD-ROM

April 18, 2001 Click here for details of our upcoming GULF OFFSHORE 2001 event Biloxi, MS, June 5 & 6 Santa Fe orders deepwater semis from Singapore yard Santa Fe International Corporation has executed a Letter of Award with SembCorp Marine's PPL Shipyard PTE, Ltd. for construction of two Friede & Goldman ExD design deepwater semisubmersible drilling rigs plus options for two additional drilling units. The first two rigs will cost approximately $285 million each. The option rigs are priced slightly higher. Construction of the first rig will commence in May and take approximately 30 months to complete. The second rig is expected to commence 18 months into the construction of the first and is presently scheduled to be completed in 24 months. Any subsequent rigs are expected to begin at 18 month intervals and be completed in 24 months. The rig design, which optimizes drilling efficiency and construction cost, focuses on development drilling in water depths up to 7,500 feet in moderate environments. The design emphasis is on high capacity and performance capabilities, says Santa Fe, and will provide both dynamic positioning and conventional mooring to the design water depth. The rigs will be outfitted with four high pressure mud pumps and a high capacity mud treatment and storage system. Two separate hoisting facilities provide improved efficiency during the well construction process. The derrick will have capacity to accommodate all of the drilling tubulars including a dedicated landing string and a full string of either 13 3/8", 9 5/8" or 7" casing racked in triples. The enhanced features and ability to reach a drilling depth of 30,000 feet below the seafloor in a highly efficient manner is expected to provide a substantial competitive advantage. Santa Fe anticipates that the rig building program will be funded through existing cash balances and cash flow generated over the duration of the program; however, it may borrow some of the required funds if conditions warrant. President and CEO Sted Garber commented, "With our new build semis, we are embarking on a program driven by our customers' long term operational requirements. Our semi design seeks the greatest operational efficiency at the lowest possible cost. Our rig will have capabilities matched by a relatively small number of rigs in the world's deepwater fleet. We believe it will be the customers' tool of choice and will enhance shareholder value through a good return and long term earnings growth." Ocean Rig and PanCanadian partnership to offer drilling services Pancanadian Petroleum Limited's board has approved the formation of a partnership with Ocean Rig ASA of Oslo, Norway. The partnership will offer deepwater drilling services to both PanCanadian and other companies exploring off the East Coast of Canada. The partnership will use Bingo 9000-2, the semi-submersible drilling rig known as Eirik Raude. The partnership will ultimately lease Eirik Raude from Ocean Rig. The arrangement is subject Ocean Rig getting consent from its secured creditors. Eirik Raude is the second of two fifth-generation deep-water semi-submersible drilling rigs currently under construction at Friede Goldman Halter, Pascagoula, Miss. It is expected to be in-service during the first quarter of 2002. The first rig, Leif Eiriksson, is currently being prepared for sea trials. Eirik Raude is scheduled to commence drilling under theagreement with PanCanadian once it has been delivered from FGH. The agreement provides for a firm period of six to eight months. Ocean Rig says gross revenues will amount to approximately $35 million to $60 million, depending on operational performance and actual contract length. In addition, Ocean Rig will receive $15 million for the cost of necessary upgrading and mobilization costs. The contract also provides for up to three optional wells with an estimated additional gross revenue of up to $30 million, assuming a five month option period. "Following our recent announcement to proceed with commercial development activities for our Deep Panuke field, containing an estimated one trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas, the formation of the partnership with Ocean Rig further demonstrates our commitment to the East Coast as a core area for further exploration and development," said David Tuer, PanCanadian's President and Chief Executive Officer. "There are a limited number of rigs in the world capable of drilling in this harsh environment and at depths of over 5000 feet. Through this arrangement we have secured access to reliable, cost- effective drilling, and have positioned PanCanadian for enhanced business relationships with other operators in the region requiring these services." New product tanker pool A.P. Møller, Primorsk Shipping Company, Reederei "Nord" Klaus E. Oldendorff and A/S Dampskibsselskabet Torm have agreed to establish a new product tanker pool to commercially manage their fleets of 100,000 dwt product tankers (LR2 vessels). The new pool, which will trade as "The LR2 Pool" will commence operations on April 23, 2001. A commercial management company will be established to handle chartering and post-fixture operations for the pool. It will be owned jointly by A/S Dampskibsselskabet Torm and A.P. Møller with offices in Copenhagen and Tokyo as well as representation in Seoul and Singapore. The LR2 Pool will manage a fleet of exclusively modern LR2 vessels initially numbering14 vessels. As participants take delivery of newbuildings, the fleet will grow to more than 20 vessels by 2003. Home