Get Jacked…Up!

Launch of Keppel Corp Project 325

Yet another successful launch for Keppel Corp in Singapore.  The offshore and marine giant set afloat the Mobile Offshore Self-Elevating Drilling Unit (SEDU) Arabdrill 50 (Hull B325) on 31 August 2012.  Remaining portions of the legs are to be installed now that she is splashed.

This launch involved the placement of the near-completed unit on well waxed skids and then a ‘hold-back’ mechanism is released and a piston provides an initial push (not captured at the beginning of embedded video).  The unit is floated out in the bay and kept from making a quick break by the mooring lines seen in the picture above.

For reference, ‘jack-ups’, as they are typically referred to based on their self-elevating nature, are usually placed in less than 400′ (121m) of ‘drink’ in near coastal waters.

Any gCaptainer’s have any additional details on this facility?