Hyundai Heavy Delivers World’s Largest Semi-Submersible Drilling Rig

Semi-submersible drilling rig Ocean Greatwhite. Photo: HHI

South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries says it has delivered the world’s largest semi-submersible drilling rig to Diamond Offshore.

The rig, named Ocean Greatwhite, was delivered to the Houston-based drilling contractor on July 2015. At 123 meters long by 78 meters wide, the semi-submersible is touted as the world’s largest semi-submersible drilling rig, according to HHI.

Ocean Greatwhite is a Moss CS60E Design harsh environment semi-submersible capable of operating in waters up to 10,000 feet deep and a drilling depth of 35,000 feet from the surface.

HHI won the order to build rig for Diamond Offshore in 2013 for a total contract value of $630 million. The shipbuilder said the delivery installment of $395 million will help improve its cash flow.

The order came after Diamond Offshore entered a three-year drilling contract with BP for use of the rig of the southern coast of Australia.

In addition to the Ocean Greatwhite, HHI has delivered four ultra-deepwater drillships to Diamond Offshore. 

“The close cooperation between Diamond Offshore and HHI on the basis of mutual trust is what made the delivery of Ocean Greatwhite possible,” an HHI official said.