WJM introduces modular offshore drilling rig design

William Jacob Management (WJM) has introduced a new Modular Offshore Drilling Rig design that cuts deployment costs and improves speed-to-market for upstream operations.

The Modular Offshore Rig Facility (MORF) is a copyrighted design for a 3000 hp modular drilling facility. The MORF is the first of its kind in size and configuration, and is also a first for the Gulf of Mexico.

Developed initially for a national oil company with a major presence in the Gulf of Mexico, the design program was driven by the client’s demand for improved cost performance across its offshore operations.

“Our team of design engineers deliberately downsized the individual modules so they could function like a set of interlocking building blocks and be lifted in-place by ‘leapfrog’ cranes. This solution enables the modular rig to be configured for drilling and integrated production below, while providing significant cost savings in deployment,” explained VP of Drilling Facilities Engineering, Trevor Smith.

The rig has two main modules: the Drilling Equipment Set (DES) and the Drilling Support Module (DSM). The DES has the capacity to access 15 wells arranged in a 3 x 5 matrix and is capable of drilling wells up to 25,000 feet. The DSM is equipped with a pair of rig cranes that streamline installation. Thanks to their compact size, the modules can be delivered using the client’s service fleet, and then assembled using a combination of crane systems. The blocks containing the cranes are installed using a temporary ‘leapfrog’ crane package. Once the rig cranes are operational the installation is then completed using the rig’s own cranes. This strategy eliminates the need to contract an expensive lift barge, reducing offshore development costs.

WJM President, Michael Duffy, added: “WJM set out to create not just a drilling unit, but also a strategic asset. The design of modules and interconnects provides flexibility for a wide range of environments – and enables efficient decommissioning and redeployment for the next opportunity. We are extremely pleased to be able to make this propriety design available to the industry.”

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/28072014/wjm-marks-anniversary-with-new-drilling-rig-design-1142/