KEPCO|Plans and Projects

Construction of Iran-Amirkabir semi-submersible drilling rig

 

 
Carrying out exploration operations in the deep water of the Caspian Sea requires special drilling equipment, based on
which the plan to build a semi-submersible drilling rig was defined by the National Iranian Oil Company, NIOC and was funded in 2001.
During this project, with the efforts of professional and experienced Iranian staff, a platform suitable for the Caspian Sea climate was designed and built, which is called Amirkabir semi-submersible drilling unit (Amir Kabir SSDU).
The objectives of the Amirkabir semi-submersible drilling rig project were as follows:
Carrying out exploratory drilling and development operations related to oil and gas in the Caspian Sea
Establishment of Iran's territorial sovereignty in the southern part of the Caspian Sea
Increasing the country's foreign exchange earnings through the development of offshore hydrocarbon fields in the South Caspian Basin
Proving the technical capabilities of domestic experts and the Iranian oil industry
Introducing Iran as the first country with deepwater drilling technology in the region
Job creation in the northern provinces of the country
Improving the level of capability of Iran's maritime industry
This project was initially assigned to a consortium consisting of the Iran Marine Industrial Company (Sadra) and the Swedish GVA company. Still, after leaving the Swedish company (due to American ownership in this company), this project was wholly taken over by Sadra, in February  2006.
This massive structure of 15,000 tons is part of the fourth generation of semi-submersible drilling rigs, capable of drilling in waters with a depth of 1000 meters and a wave height of 7.8 meters. The power of 11200 watts of power generators of Amirkabir semi-submersible platform allows this platform to drill and complete a well with a depth of 7600 meters in the safest conditions through its 3000 hp drilling package. Underwater equipment and eruption control of 15,000 psi platform has provided the ability to operate in the most challenging conditions of the Caspian Sea operation. Its eight-anchor positioning system has given the platform the flexibility to deal with different weather conditions. The platform height of the rig is 50 meters from the drilling deck, and its capacity is 120 people.
 

 

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KEPCO amid many other companies is a subdivision of National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) founded in January 1998. KEPCO is an authority in exploration, development and production of oil and gas in Iran concerning South Caspian Sea and three littoral provinces of Golestan, Mazanderan and Gilan in Iran. KEPCO supervises all the contracts signed by local and international companies regarding exploration and development of hydrocarbon reserves in the area including the pertinent environmental matters. KEPCO is committed to the development of Caspian Sea oil and gas reserves as well.