Page 9: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (March 15, 1973)

ABS Publishes Revised

Rules For Offshore

Mobile Drilling Units

The American Bureau of Shipping has published a revised edition of its "Rules for Building and Classing Off- shore Mobile Drilling Units."

The Bureau's technical staff, with the aid of the offshore industry, wrote and published the original edition of these Rules in 1968. This publication set forth the first industry-wide stan- dards for designing, building, and survey after construction of offshore mobile drilling units. From the time of the publication of the 1968 Rules to the beginning of this year, the Bu- reau has classed seven column- stabilized units, 20 self-elevating units, and eight surface-type units. Today, over 60 units of various types are building to Bureau class or are under review by its technical staff.

The revised Rules were developed in a cooperative effort by the Bu- reau's staff and the offshore industry, represented by the ABS Special Com- mittee on Offshore Mobile Drilling

Units, whose members are drawn from a broad spectrum of organiza- tions engaged in the field. Many of the committee members assisted in developing the first edition. The new

Rules reflect practical operating ex- perience gained since the original edi- tion was published, as well as current technological trends, and a number of changes have been made to provide more specific and useful guidance in areas where the original Rules were rather general.

The "Rules for Building and Class- ing Offshore Mobile Drilling Units" sells for $7.50, plus applicable sales tax and overseas mail charge. The book may be ordered from any office of the Bureau or from the Book Or- der Department, American Bureau of

Shipping, 45 Broad Street, New York

N.Y. 10004.

Houston Systems

Delivers Third Rig

To Asia Drilling

Houston Systems Manufactur- ing Co., 6022 Cullen Boulevard,

Houston, Texas 77021, has deliv- ered a third drilling rig to the Asia

Drilling Co., Ltd., according to Joe

C. Stine, Houston Systems presi- dent.

Asia Drilling Co., Ltd., based in

Tokyo, recently took delivery of rig No. 3, which was assembled and tested fat the Houston Systems' facilities in less than three weeks.

The Houston company addition- ally provided mud systems, tool, utility and camp generator houses, water tanks, pipe racks, catwalks and cable trays.

The National 80 UE Diesel-Elec- tric Land Rig, purchased from

Armco Steel Corp., Machinery and

Equipment Division, is capable of drilling to depths in excess of 12,000 feet. The rig is under con- tract to Pertamina, the Indone- sian Government Oil Agency.

Houston Systems' complete rig- up unitization programs enables

March 15, 1973 the company to provide equipment and services to customers on a rigid time schedule.

The Houston Systems Manufac- turing 'Company plant has 110,000 square feet under roof, in addition to 14 acres outdoor area used for assembly of heavy equipment, in- cluding complete rig-up of drilling rigs and mud systems.

The plant has -been serving the worldwide needs of the petroleum industry since 1953. The plant out- put has steadily increased requir- ing numerous plant enlargements.

Among products designed and manufactured by Houston Systems are Roto-Cnanes; jib cranes; off- shore pipelaying equipment such as davits and line-up stations; cus- tom hydraulic cylinders, complete with power units and controls; rig skidding and rig moving devices; special hydraulic systems; drilling mud equipment including agita- tors, valves and tanks; trailers, tool houses, pipe racks, workbenches and other special equipment.

Houston Systems also does cus- tom fabrication and unitization of machinery and assemblies to cus- tomer specifications. A technical staff, with extensive field and shop experience, designs special equip- ment and assemblies 'to suit the specific needs of industry. The shop is equipped with large and modern machine tools 'to handle large, heavy equipment.

FOR CHARTER

MODERN STEEL

SCOWS/BARGES

LL CAPACITIES

IMENSIONS from 20 to 325 long

Hughes can supply the over-all requirements of marine contractors for floating equipment of every type, includ- ing bottom dumpers and derricks—wherever needed, in the U.S. or overseas. Over 75 years' experience in chart- ering and selling marine equipment. Write or call for complete information.

HUGHES BROS., INC. 17 BATTERY PLACE, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10004 - (212) 944-1048 / CLEARING HOUSE FOR MARINE DIFFICULTIES SINCE 1894 11

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