Rowan Christens New Jackup Joe Douglas

Rowan Companies proudly showed off its new jackup rig, the Joe Douglas, during a christening ceremony Monday at its Sabine Pass, Texas, dock.

The Joe Douglas has 2.5 million pounds of hookload, an 80 feet cantilever reach, a 375' water depth rating and 491 feet of leg length. The jackup rig is equipped with seven Caterpillar 3516 engines, providing 15,050 total horsepower, and three LEWCO 3000 HP mudpumps provide a maximum pressure of 7,500 psi.

Joe Douglas is the third of the LeTourneau 240-C Class jackup rig. Sister rigs include the Rowan Mississippi, which went into service in 2008, and Rowan Ralph Coffman, which went into service in 2009.

The Company began construction of the initial 240C class rig, the Rowan Mississippi, in 2007. The 240C was designed to be a significant upgrade of the original 116-C class, which was the "workhorse" of the global drilling industry since its introduction in the late 1970s.

In early 2009, Rowan halted construction on the Joe Douglas due to the 2008 downturn in the credit markets, downturn in jackup drilling markets, and flood damage caused by Hurricane Ike across the Gulf Coast from Texas to Mississippi. By July of 2009, Rowan re-commenced construction of the Joe Douglas with anticipated delivery by third quarter of 2011.

The jackup rig was named in honor of Rowan employee Joe Douglas for his 32 years of dedication and service to the company. Douglas progressed quickly through Rowan's ranks, while mastering drilling technology and teaching others to use it safely and efficiently. He was one of Rowan's first international employees, spending most of his time in Central and South America, and was instrumental in establishing Rowan's Mississippi connection by recruiting, hiring and training employees in the region.

Douglas' two daughters, along with their husbands and children, attended the ceremony in his honor.

The Joe Douglas is expected to drill it's shakedown well in mid-January for a U.S. Gulf-based independent. The rig also has an LOI from McMoRan for one deep gas well in the Gulf of Mexico. 



WHAT DO YOU THINK?


Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

cecil rogers  |  December 29, 2011
I thank that the rig has a great appearance an a great name too, and that it is nice for the company to name somthing like that after an employee that has earned it. I would love to work on it like any one else would. It looks safe and it is more modern than others. It is a nice jackup rig all together. The 3516 caterpillar engines are strong and long lasting. That rig has a great set up by it self ... just needs hard working and safe employees on it like Joe Douglas.
Ramil P. Sanchez  |  December 26, 2011
Nice & perfect Rig
gary roach  |  December 24, 2011
lovely big rig wouldnt mind getting my hands dirty on that rig floor would be alot diffrerent from when i was on the arch in liverpool bay
Gurpartap Singh  |  December 23, 2011
I love this Rig & Rowan, who made this Rig, I salute you Rowan & his all team members.
Jack Crowe  |  December 22, 2011
Joe, it is great to hear about your new rig. Congratulations. You may not remember who I am, but I am Reedy Crowes' son and I worked a rig with you and your brothers in 1945 in Buras Lousiana. Keep up the good work. Jack Crowe


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