Deep Water Drilling From Amoored Semisubmersible

Abstract

A new series of floating-drilling semisubmersibles, the Zapata 55-2000 class, have been in operation fora total of 24 months. During that time, the first two rigs of the four rig series have drilled at twelve locations in the 900~l400 feet water depth range in the Gulf of Mexico. This paper describes the design features of these innovative semisubmersibles and their unique deep water mooring systems. Operational techniques and problems peculiar to drilling in 1000 feet of water are discussed. This paper describes actual operating experience that can be of use in advancing normal floating drilling operational capabilities into deep water.