ABB to supply CNOOC rigs
  by: OilOnline
  Thursday, May 15, 2008

ABB has announced that China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) will equip three of its newbuild drilling rigs with ABB electrical systems.  The deliveries include a complete electrical and automation system for a new semi-submersible deepwater drilling rig (the first Chinese-owned newbuilding of its kind) and the drilling drive and power distribution system on two jack-up rig newbuildings.

"We have invested heavily in the Chinese market since 2002.  We believe the combination of a strong local presence and global technology centres is a winning strategy.  Successful references in Singapore, Korea and China have helped us to build Chinese customers' confidence in our solution and management capabilities." said ABB Group Vice President Heikki Soljama.

The three contracts with CNOOC demonstrate that this global strategy, along with ABB marine's arguments for simplicity as a driver in the design, commissioning and operation phases, can succeed as well in a new market like China, as they have with owners in Europe and the Americas.

Today ABB marine is supplying roughly 50 per cent of the global DP drilling rig projects in the boom that started in 2005.  Over the last quarter of 2007 and the first in 2008, ABB marine's order book for this sector alone grew by USD 200 million.

On the CNOOC semi-submersible newbuilding, ABB is supplying the complete electrical system, including generators, medium - and low-voltage power distribution, a thruster drive system and the drilling drive system.  The automation system is jointly supplied by ABB and consortium party Kongsberg Maritime.  Supply to the two jack-up rigs includes the drilling drive and low-voltage power distribution systems.  The rigs will be delivered in 2010, and in 2009, respectively.

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