Automation company Siemens has been awarded a contract by the Arabian Drilling Company to modernise a complete and integrated drilling-drive lineup, including auxiliary and control, to be installed on an offshore jack-up drilling rig for a Middle East customer
In addition to new features and benefits, the upgrade will also enable the customer to meet the latest safety standards. Delivery of the new system is planned for the early part of 2021.
The contract includes engineering, design, manufacturing, and delivery of the fully integrated modernisation based on Siemens’ BlueDrive technology. The Siemens solution, known as Master2Blue, will use the footprint, cable network, and communication principles of the existing system, enabling quick, modular-style installation, commissioning, and startup. The system is a DC power grid that includes power electronics, controls, and cooling of 10 integrated variable speed drives.
The company stated that the BlueDrive system, developed and refined over the years to meet the offshore industry’s demanding requirements, is ideal for energy distribution in propulsion and drilling systems. The BlueDrive system is an efficient, environmentally friendly multi-drive solution that provides high levels of reliability, availability, and ease of service, with low emissions and an option for remote support.
Other modernisation solutions are also available that include Siemens’ fully integrated, energy storage systems.
Thomas Steenberg, Siemens offshore solutions, business development director, said, “As the reactivations of stacked and un-utilised drilling rigs are increasing, Siemens stands fully ready to modernise offshore rigs and ships to make them safer and more energy-efficient.
“By using the latest drilling and propulsion drives technology, customers can assure their rigs and ships remain at the highest level of supportability for many years to come.”
In addition to BlueDrive and Master2Blue solutions, Siemens Offshore Solutions provides customers with reliable, safe and environmentally friendly answers to their electrification, automation, and digitalisation needs.
