The NG-5500X-LD is the latest design in GustoMSC’s successful series of self-propelled jackup designs, the NG series. Based on the proven and seasoned NG-2500X and NG-1800X designs, the NG-5500X-LD is a solution for light drilling and well intervention in a large number of mature fields in the Southern North Sea, Middle East and Southeast Asia.
The conditions of these fields are characterized by water depths of up to 50 m to 80 m pending the region. Until now this was the domain of classic drilling jackups and tender barges with associated day rates and operational restrictions. With the light drilling cantilever, the NG-5500X-LD bridges the gap between the successful shallow to mid-water service units and the full-fledged drilling rigs.
As with all NG series designs, one of the key features of the NG-5500X is that it designed with practical and survival capability in mind. The unit can remain offshore when adverse weather conditions occur, resulting in more workable days, greatly enhancing efficiency and a minimum of non-productive hours during operational charters. With the excellent maneuverability (DP2), diagonal pre-loading, fast transit (up to 8 knots) and maximum safety & accuracy when making use of the Variable Frequency Drive controlled jacking system, the NG-5500X enjoys all benefits of the successful GustoMSC NG series.
The light drilling rig will ensure high utilization as it can serve a variety of brown field needs, such as Light Drilling, Well Intervention and Plugging and Abandonment. The large clean main deck (approximately 1,200 m2) allows for flexible use while the cantilever featuring the X-Y Skidding System provides a large drilling envelope of 18.3 m x 7.9 m (60 ft x 26 ft). This envelop ensures access to a vast majority of brown field platform layouts seen in the Southern North Sea, Middle East Gulf and Southeast Asia.
Another advantage comes from the fact that the entire cantilever and drill floor structure is raised above main deck by approximately 3.6 m (12 ft). This allows for improved material handling as a forklift can drive underneath, and thus reduces crane lifts from the PS to the SB side and vice versa. It also provides additional deck space for container storage and, crucially, provides additional means to handle mud return, cuttings and SWARF. With 250 tons of hook load at 60 ft and up to 350 tons (770 kips) at 50 ft the rig can truly perform light drilling operations with a drilling depth of 12,000 ft.
