First Jackup Unit For U.S. Completed By Hitachi Zosen

A self-elevating offshore drilling unit for Offshore Investments Limited of the Hunt Group in the U.S. has been completed at the Osaka Works (Sakai) of Hitachi Zosen. After delivery, the cantilever-type rig named Prober was towed recently to Indonesia.

The rig will be operated by Penrod Drilling Company, one of the world's leading oil drilling companies.

Prober is the first of five oil rigs — four jackup rigs and one semisubmersible rig — to be constructed for the Hunt Group by Hitachi Zosen. The second rig will be completed in November 1981.

The Prober is the second Drill Hope C-250 to be completed by Hitachi Zosen and the first constructed by Hitachi in compliance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations. A special feature of the unit is a spud tank that is completely retractable within the platform.

There is no projection from the bottom of the rig which facilitates towing in shallow waters and easy transportation by barge.

Specifications: main platform length — 59 meters (about 194 feet) ; breadth — 53 meters (174 feet) ; depth — 6.5 meters (21 feet) ; number of legs—3; leg length—108.2 meters (355 feet) ; m a x i m um o p e r a t i ng depth — 75 meters (246 feet) ; maximum drilling depth — 7,620 meters (25,000 feet) ; classification —• ABS.

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Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.