Wärtsilä and Kongsberg To Provide Full Dynamic Positioning Package for Songa Offshore

WÃ¤rtsilÃ¤ and Kongsberg Maritime have been contracted to supply the power, positioning, and automation systems for two new drilling rigs ordered by Songa Offshore AS, the Norwegian arm of the Cyprus-based offshore drilling company. These so called cat D semi-submersible rigs are tailor designed for use by Statoil in mid-water segments, and are being built at the Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co.Ltd (DSME) shipyard in South Korea.

The contract for the power and positioning system was signed in November 2011 and calls for WÃ¤rtsilÃ¤ to supply for each rig a total of six 12-cylinder WÃ¤rtsilÃ¤ 32 engines in V-configuration with ancillaries, and six WÃ¤rtsilÃ¤ FS3500 main steerable thrusters, as well as the integration of the entire system. Additionally, the engines and thrusters will be equipped with WÃ¤rtsilÃ¤’s unique condition monitoring system.

“The proven reliability and superior efficiency of the WÃ¤rtsilÃ¤ propulsion solutions were the major factors in the award of this contract. Calculating the average load profile for deepwater drilling rigs, the efficiency is approximately three per cent better than those offered by competitors. The high efficiency enables fuel cost savings and has also clear benefits in terms of reducing carbon dioxide emissions (CO2). Furthermore, the local WÃ¤rtsilÃ¤ service network in Norway will provide full support for the equipment,” says Magnus Miemois, Vice President at WÃ¤rtsilÃ¤ Ship Power, Offshore.

In December, Kongsberg Maritime’s President, Geir HÃ¥Ã¸y, announced that Kongsberg will be providing the automation and control systems that will directly interface with the power systems on these vessels to include dynamic positioning, thruster control, bridge navigation, vessel automation, safety, riser management and environmental monitoring.

The semi-submersible rigs are custom designed for efficient year-round drilling, completion, testing and intervention operations in harsh environments and arctic conditions. They will be operated on the Norwegian Continental Shelf by Statoil, the international energy company headquartered in Norway. The rigs meet the Det Norske Veritas CLEAN-DESIGN criteria, meaning that the WÃ¤rtsilÃ¤ engines are IMO Tier 2 compliant. Delivery will begin in 2012 and the first rig is scheduled to be operational during 2014. WÃ¤rtsilÃ¤ has an option for two further rigs.

Scope of supply per rig:

Six 12-cylinder WÃ¤rtsilÃ¤ 32 engines in V-configuration
Six WÃ¤rtsilÃ¤ FS3500 main steerable thrusters

Ancillaries

Vessel type:
GVA 4000 NCS cat D semi-submersible rig
Length overall: 116 m
Breadth overall: 97 m
Water depth: 100-500 m
Drilling depth: 8,500 m
Power generation 6×5.6MW = 33.6MW
Thrusters: 6x4MW = 24MW
Mooring system: 8/(12) Lines
Accommodation (single cabins): 130