Atlas Copco compressors chosen for the world's largest semi - submersible offshore drilling rig
December 7th 2007

Offshore oil and gas giant Aker Drilling has awarded Aker Kvaerner a $1.2 billion contract to build two 6th generation deepwater drilling semi-submersibles that will be assembled and commissioned in Stord, Norway.

Compressor systems for instrument and plant air and the transport of drilling cuttings will be supplied by Atlas Copco from a specialist engineered double-decker unit for each rig. Designed to be accommodated in the limited on-board space available, the compressor plant was selected for its ability to operate reliably in the harshest of climates, with temperatures down to -20ºC.

Two ZR315-15-10-50 oil-free screw compressors with associated MD1000 adsorption dryers, together with two LT20-30 KDE reciprocating compressors plus an LT20-30KDE unit, DD780 filters and a closed loop cooling system have been assembled on each of two skid packs by Atlas Copco at its Hemel Hempstead workshops for the instrument/plant air systems on what will be the world’s largest drilling rig combination.

The cuttings transport compressed air facilities, which will be located on the exposed top decks of the rigs, will each comprise two ZR315’s and MD dryers, an air receiver, a DD780 filter, and a closed loop cooling system.

Commonality of compressor equipment for both on-board duties was planned from the start to limit the spares inventory requirements.

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