Shell orders new drilling spar design

Shell Offshore Inc. has commissioned Aker Oil & Gas Technology Inc., Houston, and J. Ray McDermott Holdings Inc., Houston, to design a spar for mobile drilling in ultradeep waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Once preliminary engineering design is complete, Shell may lease one deepwater drilling spar with an option to lease as many as two more units. Aker said the project marks the first time a spar is being developed solely for drilling and well completion, and it is the first drilling or production

Oct. 7, 1996

Once preliminary engineering design is complete, Shell may lease one deepwater drilling spar with an option to lease as many as two more units.

Aker said the project marks the first time a spar is being developed solely for drilling and well completion, and it is the first drilling or production spar that is not site-specific and will be used in as much as 10,000 ft of water.

The agreement calls for Aker-McDermott to finish preliminary engineering this year. After review, detail design and construction of the first unit could begin in early 1997 for delivery in early 1999.

If built, Shell expects to lease the drilling spar for at least 3 years. The drilling spar was developed jointly by Deep Oil Technology Inc., Irvine, Calif., and Spars International Inc. (SII), Houston. SII is a 50-50 venture of J. Ray McDermott SA, New Orleans, and Aker Oil & Gas Technology.