The rig crew worked with the operator, Maersk Oil Qatar AS, to overcome constraints such as high drilling torque in parts of the horizontal section. The Well BD-04A is in the Al-Shaheen field offshore Qatar. Crews also used extensive deck-management planning and a supply boat to hold additional drill pipe so that the rig could stay within its variable deck load rating.
“Everyone involved deserves congratulations for coming together and through great planning and teamwork managing the challenges on this well in an incident-free manner,” said Jim Granger, performance rig manager.
The rig, a Friede & Goldman L-780 Mod II design jackup with 250-ft water depth capability, operates with just two Emsco FB 1600 mud pumps. Other equipment include the rig’s 2000-hp National 1320 UE Drawworks, and a Varco TDS-4S Top Drive.
In addition to its record-setting performance, GSF Rig 127 crews last April reached one year without a lost-time injury.
