Cosco Dalian goes to Inocean AS for drillship design

China’s Cosco (Dalian) Shipyard Co. Ltd. has awarded Norwegian naval architect firm Inocean a contract for development and basic design of a new compact ultra deepwater drillship, INO-80, suitable for global operation. The design is being introduced to the market for the first time in Houston at OTC 2011.

“We are delighted to partner up with Inocean for this important project,” says Mr. Xu Liangheng, General Manager of Offshore Project Management Headquarter, COSCO Shipyard Group. “This design solution will allow COSCO and Inocean the opportunity to showcase their wide-ranging capabilities within the drilling segment. The demand for drill ships is strong, and we believe that this compact and cost effective design will have a great potential in this market.”

“COSCO and Inocean have during the years worked closely together in several major projects, including, heavy lift vessels, FPSOs and drill ships. The approach will be the same for INO-80, where Inocean will contribute with its high-end engineering and dsign expertise and COSCO with its strong execution ability. Depending on the response in the market, we believe the first unit will be delivered in Q1 2014,” says Jon Erik Borgen, CEO of Inocean AS

INO-80 is a compact dynamically positioned drillship with large free deck areas, designed for year-around operations in ultra deep waters. The vessel has well planned utility arrangement with safe and reliable material handling. The hull is shaped for cost efficient and easy fabrication, as well as for challenging conditions during station keeping and transit. INO-80 features for exploration, appraisal and development drilling.

May 3, 2010