GSF C.R. Luigs Recognized for Safe, Environmentally Sound Operations

GlobalSantaFe

GlobalSantaFe says that its drillship, GSF C.R. Luigs, has been recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior's Mineral Management Service (MMS) for outstanding drilling operations in 2005.

The GSF C.R. Luigs, an ultra-deepwater drillship operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico for customer BHP Billiton, received an MMS Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE) "for the outstanding manner in which it conducted its contract drilling operations" in the Houma district throughout 2005. The agency congratulated GlobalSantaFe Corporation and its employees for applying SAFE principles in their daily operational activity and "promoting the practice of operational safety, environmental protection, and compliance with the operating regulations."

"The success of the GSF C.R. Luigs is a direct result of the hard work of our dedicated employees and consistent, positive interaction with a great customer," said Marion Woolie, GlobalSantaFe's VP of Operations. "I want to thank BHP Billiton for their unwavering support and commitment to planning, for challenging technical limits and rewarding success, and most importantly, for capturing the minds and hearts of our crews with their dedication to health, safety and the environment."

The GSF C.R. Luigs underwent nine MMS inspections throughout 2005 without a single incident of noncompliance and had no lost-time injuries during the year. In addition, the rig maintained accurate, accessible records and "consistently presented a rig and equipment that were well-maintained by highly-motivated personnel," according to the agency.

SAFE awards have been presented since 1983 by the MMS to companies displaying the most exemplary performance on a single platform, rig, field, unit, or throughout an entire District. Awards are based on a criteria including the results of MMS inspections; safety and environmental performance; operational considerations, such as overall condition of the facility; equipment maintenance; availability of records and knowledge of overall operation, and use of technology.

In addition to the MMS award, the GSF C.R. Luigs also was recently honored as GlobalSantaFe's 2005 "Rig of the Year" award in the floater category. The internal award recognizes outstanding safety, environmental and operational performance.

BHP Billiton has a significant deepwater position in the Gulf of Mexico with interests in nearly 450 lease blocks and assets including the Mad Dog, Atlantis and Neptune fields, as well as deepwater discoveries under appraisal at Cascade, Chinook, Shenzi, Puma, and Knotty Head. In addition to the GSF C.R. Luigs, GlobalSantaFe's ultra-deepwater semisubmersible GSF Development Driller I is preparing to commence a two-year, multi-well exploration and development program for BHP Billiton in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.


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