UAE-based Maritime Industrial Services Company (MIS) recently floated a Friede & Goldman Super M2 jackup rig of MENAdrill Investment Company, a Cayman Islands entity specialising in the offshore drilling industry.

MENAdrill was launched by Bahrain-based First Energy Bank along with other shareholders in 2008.

The rig, named MENAdrill Hercules I, is now in its final stage of construction and will shortly be ready for testing and commissioning with delivery scheduled for September 30, 2010.

A similar jackup rig, Hercules 2, ordered by MENAdrill from MIS, will be floated later.

Both Super M2 jackup rigs are based on a new design developed by Friede & Goldman, one of the oldest and most experienced US drilling rig design firms. The construction of the two rigs is on schedule and they will be ready for theatres worldwide including operations in the Arabian Gulf, the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia this year.

They will be able to operate in water depths of up to 300 ft with a drilling depth capability of between 20,000 and 30,000 ft. 

First Energy Bank has a management agreement with Hercules Offshore Arabia which will work with the rigs in the exploration of oil and gas fields.

Headquartered in Houston, USA, Hercules has a solid track record of operations in the Middle East, West Africa and the Far East. Hercules operates a fleet of jackup rigs across three continents and is the fourth largest in the world and the largest in the US Gulf of Mexico. They have a current fleet of 30 jackup rigs operating in various parts of the world including two being deployed on long-term contracts with Saudi Aramco.

To mark the floating of Hercules 1, an event was held in which First Energy Bank chairman Essam Janahi, MIS managing director Kevin Hudson, CEO and president of Hercules Offshore John Rynd and CEO of First Energy Bank Vahan Zanoyan were present.

Major refurbishment contract
Earlier this year, MIS announced it signed a $55.4 million contract with Abu Dhabi’s National Drilling Company (NDC) for the refurbishment of jack-up drilling rig ‘NDC Al Bzoom.’

The contract, which is MIS’ highest contract to date in its ‘refurbishment’ value stream, will cover the Rig Integrity Assurance Programme (RIAP) as its base scope for the modification and refurbishment work on the rig.

“We enjoy a solid business association with MIS. This is not the first time that NDC contracts MIS for its specialised rig refurbishment works, nor will it be the last time,” said Abdalla Al Suwaidi, NDC chairman, at the signing ceremony. “We look forward to a continued strong relationship with MIS.”

Kevin Hudson, MIS managing director, said the agreement built on an” excellent track record” between the two companies and would further strengthen MIS’ partnership with NDC.”

MENAdrill Hercules 1: getting ready

Rig NDC Al Bzoom, which has a Baker Marine BMC- 150-IC design with a rated water depth capacity of 110 ft and drilling depth of 18,000 ft, will be used to drill oil wells in Abu Dhabi’s offshore fields upon completion.

Deliveries
Also this year, MIS delivered a jack-up rig KS Endeavor (Hull 107) to its client KSAM2 Petrodrill Offshore Inc within the contract delivery date.

KSAM 2 Petrodrill Offshore Inc is a joint venture company led by Singapore-based KS Energy Services Ltd, Saudi-based Amwal Al Khaleej and MIS.

The KS Endeavor, a Friede & Goldman Super M2 design, is MIS’ third new build offshore jack up drilling rig to be delivered and as such has benefited from the learning curve on the first two SeaWolf rigs. “The experience we gained on Hulls 104 and 105 helped MIS in the final stages of the KS Endeavor’s progress, although we faced a few challenges during the process,” said Hudson.

Projects MIS completed recently include mechanical construction work for the Ras Al Khaimah Gas Commission at the West Bukha Treatment Plant in Khor Khwair. The work included piping tie-ins, equipment erection, construction of structures and coating and insulation work.

Also completed was a contract awarded by UAE-based Petrofac for work on behalf of the El Merk project in the Berkine Basin of Algeria.

The project scope entailed mechanical design, procurement, and manufacture of five cladded and stainless steel columns.

Petrofac is a strong repeat order client of MIS’, having first established its relationship over 16 years ago. “This project further strengthens MIS’ long-term association with Petrofac,” said Hudson. “Adding to the success in our Marine and Rig New-Build value stream, MIS’ strategy has focused on building our more traditional work and we’re proud to see the progress on that front.”

MIS’ recent work for Petrofac included the completion of 10 pressure vessels for the In Salah Gas (ISG) Compression Project, also in Algeria, which allowed MIS to gain experience and successful learning in Algerian codes and regulations compliance. “MIS has long built its experience in handling projects involving high thickness vessels and this project is expected to further enhance that expertise,” said Hudson.