Project Description
Sea freight of Drilling Rig from Singapore to Black Sea and wet tow through Volga-Don Canal to Caspian Sea.
Pontoons – 2 pieces @ L 90.00 x W 14.60 x H 13.20 m / 2,441,000 kg each
Sub-structure – 1 piece @ L 26.25 x W 16.28 x H 2.00 mr / 257,400 kg
Legs of sub-structure – 4 pieces @ L 10.00 x W 1.00 x H 1.00 m / 10,000 kg each
Columns – 2 pieces @ L 16.03 x W 14.87 x H 14.30 m / 330,000 kg each
Columns – 2 pieces @ L 16.21 x W 14.87 x H 14.30 m / 330,000 kg each
The complete project plan was structured over many months, translated into Russian and then submitted to Russian Department of Transport for their approval to use the Canal route.
This historical move was a very significant development for the oil sector not only in Azerbaijan, but also for the other Caspian Sea countries offshore developments.
Of course getting the rig into the region was one thing, but getting the oil and gas out through a pipeline was another. WELL played a key role in managing the logistics projects relating to the BTC, SCP and for GOGC Gas Pipeline.
The input which we provided at the point of design enabled the pontoons to be made to the optimum size enabling transit through the Volga Don Canal. Nothing of this magnitude (non-motorised) had previously been delivered to Azerbaijan through the Canal so there was no blue print to follow, the entire logistics had to be designed and implemented from scratch.
This pontoon weighs approximately 2500 MT and is 90 metres long. The rig columns each weighed in at approximately 370 MT and were transhipped in Mariupol onto barges and they too were towed through the Volga Don Canal.
The entire mobilisation was completed from load out Singapore to delivery in Baku in 49 days, within schedule, within budget and with no Lost Time through accident or injury.
