VN's largest drilling rig launched

The Tam Dao 05 jack-up rig is launched in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province — VNA/VNS Photo Manh Duong.

Financed by the Viet Nam-Russia Oil and Gas Joint Venture (Vietsovpetro) and manufactured by PetroVietnam Marine Shipyard JSC (PV Shipyard), the oil rig features the JU-2000E model of the American Friede & Goldman Ltd.

The 120-metre jack-up rig weighs almost 18,000 tonnes and can drill to a depth of 9 kilometres.

The US$230 million rig, measuring 70.4 metres in length, 76.2 metres in width and 9.4 metres in height, can withstand storms of above level 12.

Following the launch, the remaining items of the construction, which began in October 2014, are expected to be completed in the next nine months before being handed over to the owner.

Addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai said the development of the oil mechanical manufacturing industry would help stimulate the development of related sectors.

The manufacturing of Tam Dao 05, with 46 per cent of local content, also demonstrated Viet Nam's capacity in manufacturing oil rigs, he said.

He suggested PV Shipyard and the domestic oil manufacturing mechanics sector should expand their reach to foreign markets.

PV Shipyard also built the first made-in-Viet Nam jack-up rig, Tam Dao 03, weighing nearly 12,000 tonnes. The platform, including a helicopter deck, can drill as deep as 6 kilometres.

In addition, PV Shipyard also successfully upgraded Tam Dao 02 oil rig for Vietsovpetro in October, 2014.

Source: VNS- VEN