Levingston Launches Jackup Rig For Argentine Owners

Levingston Shipbuilding Company recently christened the jackup drill rig Rio Colorado I and launched the $30-million vessel into the Sabine River at its Orange, Texas, shipyard. The rig will be owned and operated by Rio Colorado S.A., a joint venture between Bridas S.A.P.I.C. and Saipem S.p.A.

The Rio Colorado I is a Levingston Class 111-C, self-elevating drilling platform capable of operating in water depths of up to 300 feet, and of drilling to 25,000 feet.

Its triangular hull is 200 feet by 186 feet by 23 feet deep, supported by three square-truss legs, each more than 400 feet in length.

Sponsoring the Rio Colorado I was Sra. Maria de las Mercedes Alen de Bulgheroni, wife of the president and founder of Bridas, Alejandro Angel Bulgheroni Botto.

The christening and launching ceremony was held in the presence of several hundred invited guests.

The Rio Colorado I will be completed in late September and towed approximately 9,000 miles to Tierra del Fuego at the southernmost extremity of Argentina, where it will begin drilling under contract to Total Austral of France.

Bridas S.A.P.I.C. is a privately owned Argentine company headquartered in Buenos Aires and with extensive interests in oil and gas exploration both on and offshore.

In addition to its oil and gas interests, Bridas is also active in the paper, banking, fishing, and communications industries in Argentina.

Levingston Shipbuilding Company is internationally known as a pioneer in the construction of offshore drilling rigs. Since World War II, Levingston has built 164 vessels for the offshore industry, ranging from dynamically positioned drillships, semisubmersibles, and jackups to posted drilling barges, tenders, and other large offshore vessels. Levingston currently has contracts for the construction of three Class 111-C jackups and in addition is building a series of five 36,000-dwt bulk carriers.

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