Consortium to build Zentech jack-up in China

JANUARY 14, 2013 — Houston headquartered Zentech, Inc. is participating in a strategic cooperation agreement for fully integrated jack-up drilling rig construction.

Zentech, China’s CSSC Guangzhou Huangpu Shipbuilding Company Ltd. and TSC Group Holdings, Ltd. are to cooperate in a new venture that involves the design of the basic rig and fully integrated drilling equipment and control package.

The rig will be constructed at Huangpu Shipyard. The concept is centered on the patented Zentech R-550D, a high capacity and extended reach jack-up drilling rig, rated for 400 ft water depths. The cooperation employs Zentech’s basic drilling rig design expertise for the R-550D, coupled with the TSC fully-integrated drilling and control systems package, all constructed at CSSC HPS in China.

The consortium expects construction of the first drilling rig to begin no later than May, 2013 and is already negotiating with undisclosed owners for the first unit, expected to be sold at highly competitive terms.

TSC Group Holdings, Ltd., is a global product and service provider, serving both onshore and offshore drilling industries worldwide. TSC’s product lines include drilling equipment, mechanical handling equipment, solids control equipment, power control and drives, drill cabins, deck cranes, tensioning and compensation systems for semi-submersible rigs and drillships. TSC also provides jacking systems and rack materials for jack-up rigs. With manufacturing facilities in China, the U.S., and the U.K., TSC provides single-source designing, manufacturing and integrated equipment packages for all types of offshore drilling rigs.

CSSC HPS Huangpu Shipbuilding Company’s references include over 34 offshore oil and gas related vessel completions.

Zentech, Inc. is a Houston based marine engineering and naval architecture consulting firm specializing in the offshore oil and gas and renewable energy industries. It employs a professional staff of over 160 in six international locations. Zentech’s expertise covers dynamically positioned semi-submersibles, drill-ships, jack-up drilling units, modular platform drilling rigs, barge rigs, fixed offshore platforms, shipyards, floating production systems, risers and pipelines.

Zentech has developed five state-of-the-art jack-up and semi-submersible drilling rigs, and wind farm support vessel designs. Zentech also owns two existing vessels, a semi-SWATH and a jack-up, that are isuited to offshore wind farm installation work and are currently available for charter.