Developing the Next Generation of Deepwater Drilling Rig: A Unique Collaboration in Design

Summary BP and Maersk Drilling entered into a unique collaborative arrangement in early 2013 to develop the design for a deepwater drilling rig that is specifically aimed at conducting operations on wells with greater than 15,000 psi pressures. This paper describes how this collaborative effort was conducted. Operator and contractor each contributed expertise and information to the project and defined a joint vision of transforming how functional requirements are set and how the design of this rig would be developed. A set of relationship principles was agreed and a joint project team was formed in Houston with engineering support from contrator's technical organization in Copenhagen. An executive committee, with senior leadership from each organization, was established to provide guidance, challenge and governance. To start the design process, workflow during the well construction process was layered on top of the foundational requirements of operator's prospect inventory. Starting with a cleaner sheet of paper, the integrated team's conversations focused on inherently safer design and improving operability, efficiency, maintainability and reliability. The initial focus was on innovation and possibilities before driving toward agreement on the functional specification and rig design. The team strove to address challenges faced in the deepwater drilling industry today, at the same time continually testing their ideas for benefit. After more definition work, the opportunities were run through a detailed evaluation model to inform selection of design features and potential equipment suppliers. Major equipment suppliers and operator service companies have assisted with the development of rig functional requirements and the shipyard specification. Operator and contractor contributed their learning from previous rig builds, intakes and operation including five and ten year re-certifications into the design. Supplier selection for long lead technology development and qualification of equipment commenced in 2013 and is expected to culminate with a yard selection in 2015. As a result of this collaboration, operator and contractor better understand the needs and drivers of each other's business and have leveraged this knowledge into a more effective working relationship. Significant work remains to construct the rig and deliver it into operation. However, there is a strong belief this next generation deepwater drilling rig will provide enhanced capability, performance and value to both operator and contractor.