By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Aug. 29 -- Houston-based Rowan Cos. Inc. Aug. 18 took delivery of Bob Palmer, the drilling firm's newest jack up rig. Initially, the rig will be used to drill a 25,000 ft well in the Gulf of Mexico, which should start in 30 days, Rowan said.
The Bob Palmer jack up is an "enhanced version" of Rowan's Super Gorilla class jack ups, designated as a Super Gorilla XL. The rig is outfitted with 713 ft of leg, 139 ft more than Gorillas V, VI, or VII, and has 30% larger spud cans enabling operation in water as deep as 550 ft, the company said.
Also, the Bob Palmer will be able to operate in as much as 400 ft of water in hostile environments, such as off eastern Canada and in the North Sea.
Rowan laid down $187 million of the rig's design and construction costs through an 18-year bank loan guaranteed by the US Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration under its Title XI Program, the company said.
