CIMC Raffles Wins Bid to Construct Jackup for Sinopec

China's Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore Ltd. (CIMC Raffles) reported Tuesday that it has won a bid to construct a jackup for Sinopec Corp.

Upon delivery, CIMC Raffles indicated that the drilling rig, which can work in water depths of 300 feet, will be operated by Shengli Petroleum Engineering Co. Sinopec Shengli Petroleum Engineering Co., Ltd.

CIMC Raffes revealed that the newbuild jackup, which will have a designed temperature of minus 15 degrees Centigrade, will be capable of drilling in depths up to 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) and can accommodate 120 personnel.

The jackup, designed by the Shengli Drilling Technology Research Institute of Sinopec with support from the Shangdong Government, is classed by China Classification Society (CCS).

"Friendly-operation and high-effective construction is adequately considered in the rig design. Concurrently, breakthroughs are made in the core equipment and materials, with a localization rate of 70 percent," CIMC Raffles said in the press release.

CIMC Raffles revealed that this latest deal is the second offshore project between CIMC Raffles and Sinopec following the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement in 2012.

"On June 21, their first cooperation project “New Shengli No.1” began operation in Bohai Bay. Having drilled 7 wells, completed 6 wells, with the total drilling depth of 50,078 feet (15,264 meters), we received a Thanks Letter from Shengli Petroleum Engineering Co. Sinopec Shengli Petroleum Engineering Co., Ltd.," CIMC Raffles said.

“The rig is in good condition with all equipment working well. In the 6-month production period, there is no breakdown due to equipment or system design errors,” Shengli Petroleum Engineering Co. Sinopec Shengli Petroleum Engineering Co., Ltd. told CIMC Raffles, as mentioned in the press release.