Wärtsilä Corporation was awarded in October 2005 the contract to deliver six Wärtsilä 32 diesel engines with a combined power of over 40 MW for the world’s largest oil drilling ship which is being built by Samsung Heavy Industries Co Ltd in Korea.
Ordered by Stena Drilling Ltd, a member of the Stena group of Gothenburg, Sweden, this oil drilling ship has the project name Stena Drill MAX and is a remarkable vessel. It is dynamically-positioned with twin drilling derricks and is intended for oil and gas exploration in ultra deep water (up to 3,000 m) and harsh environments such as the Norwegian and Barents Seas. With a displacement of 97,000 tonnes, an overall length of 228 m and breadth of 42 m, it is the world’s largest oil drilling ship, and is capable of drilling to a depth of 11,000 m. The vessel is due for delivery at the end of 2007.
Wärtsilä will supply six 16-cylinder Wärtsilä 32 diesel engines, together with various ancillary equipment, including fuel and lubricating oil filters, coolers and pumps. The engines each have a power output of 7,290 kW at 720 rpm and will drive the main generators that will meet the vessel’s total power requirements for dynamic positioning, propulsion, drilling, and hotel services.
“Wärtsilä got the order mainly because these engines have the lowest specific fuel consumption among the engines which we considered for the project” said Mr Harry Robertsson, Technical Manager of the Stena group.
Another important factor in Wärtsilä winning this contract was the past experience of Samsung with Wärtsilä engines in earlier built drill ships. Furthermore Wärtsilä engines have a good reputation in deepwater dynamically-positioned drilling units, and a proven track record of reliable operation in offshore applications.
Media contact:
Marit Holmlund-Sund
Public Relations Manager
Wärtsilä Corporation
Direct tel: +358 10 709 1439
Direct fax: +358 10 709 1425
e-mail: marit.holmlund-sund@wartsila.com
Internet: www.wartsila.com
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