VESSEL REVIEW | Guohai Taihe – Self-sustaining drilling rig to support China’s offshore wind construction projects

Chinese operator Sinoocean has taken delivery of a new semi-submersible offshore drilling platform built by local shipyard COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Guangdong).

Designed by Netherlands-based GustoMSC, Guohai Taihe will primarily be deployed for drilling activities in support of the Chinese offshore wind industry but will also be available for clients in the oil and gas market.

The platform measures 102 by 63 by 31 metres and has a maximum draught of 18 metres. The accommodation spaces can house up to 170 personnel while power for drilling and other activities is supplied by six 1,530kW main diesel generators and a 1,100kW backup generator.

The equipment consists of a 400-tonne deck crane and drilling equipment capable of reaching a maximum depth of 9,000 metres and a maximum water depth of 1,830 metres even in harsh offshore environments. Onboard facilities include storage tanks for mud, base oil, and drilling water so that the rig will not have to depend on other vessels for the supply of essential drilling fluids.

An eight-point mooring system secures the platform during extended drilling operations.