A.P. Møller has ordered the world's largest and most advanced harsh environment jack-up drilling rig from Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. in Korea.


The new rig will represent a significant improvement from even the most recently delivered drilling rigs due to its size, efficiency and automation. Great emphasis has also been made on further improvements in the safety and the working environment on the new rig.


The rig is designed for operation in harsh environments, such as the British and Norwegian parts of the North Sea and other areas in the world with similar weather conditions. The leg length of 205 metres will enable the rig to operate in these areas at water depths up to 150 metres.


The highly efficient drilling equipment will make the rig well qualified for drilling deep and difficult wells. It is expected that the drilling efficiency will be 20 to 25% higher than that of similar drilling rigs. The drilling envelope as well as the variable load capacity will be increased to twice that of traditional units.


As a new feature the jack-up will be able to drill subsea wells in addition to traditional surface completed wells. Furthermore, the rig will be equipped for zero discharge operation and be prepared for drill cuttings re-injection.


The accommodation can house up to 120 people.


Delivery will be in the summer of 2002.


"Activity in the market is increasing, and this rig will open up new possibilities for efficient development of large as well as small oil and gas fields in the North Sea. The new rig will be able to operate in fields which so far have been the reserve of floating units," said Bjarne Hansen, Partner of A.P. Møller. "With the new rig Maersk Contractors will maintain the leading position in the market for large jack-up rigs and will again help to influence developments with efficient and pioneering technology."


Contact: Paul Carsten Pedersen, telephone: +45 33 63 48 95.


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Maersk Contractors owns and operates a fleet of drilling rigs and production units. The fleet is engaged all over the world with drilling for, or production of, oil and gas for the oil companies.


Since its establishment in 1972 Maersk Contractors, including its affiliated company Egyptian Drilling Company (EDC), has built up a fleet of some 50 drilling rigs including advanced jack-ups, land rigs and drilling barges.


The fleet also includes three floating production or storage units as well as a rig based production facility. These units produce oil and gas from marginal fields with subsequent transport to shore in pipelines or tankers.


Maersk Contractors is part of the A.P. Moller Group and employs approximately 4,500 people.


Further information please see www.maersk-contractors.com