Lamprell has successfully delivered the first jack-up drilling rig for International Maritime Industries (IMI).
It will now undergo intensive mechanical completion and commissioning before being transferred to IMI’s yard in Ras Al Khair, Saudi Arabia, for final checks ahead of being deployed locally.
Work on the project kicked off in January 2020, with the pair collaborating to build two new state-of-the-art offshore vessels.
The second is scheduled to be completed in the coming months.
The design of the two rigs is based on the Super 116E class and features high specification offshore drilling technology, as well as accommodation for up to 120 people.
During the project IMI employees have benefitted from the transfer of technical knowledge from Lamprell experts that will allow the company to build its own jack-ups in the future.
IMI, a joint venture between Saudi Aramco, Bahri, Lamprell, and HHI, is the largest shipyard in the Middle East at nearly 12 million square metres.
It provides new build and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for commercial vessels, including bulk carriers, offshore support vessels, and jack-up rigs.
Abdullah Al Ahmari, president and chief executive of IMI, said: “We are pleased to havereached this milestone in this important project with our long-term partner, Lamprell, who continue to support our ongoing growth and development.
“In addition to providing IMI with two state-of-the-art drilling units, the project has enabled our employees and the company to acquire valuable industry knowledge and skills, while increasing our construction capacity.
“Once completed, the two drilling rigs will boost IMI’s contribution to the long-term growth of Saudi Arabia’s maritime industry, and we look forward to collaborating further with Lamprell for the remainder of the project and beyond.”
Christopher McDonald, chief executive of Lamprell, said: “This is a significant milestone in the project which we’ve been privileged to share with our partner, IMI. We’ve had excellent team collaboration in getting this first rig delivered to the highest standards of safety and quality. We have also welcomed many Saudi nationals during the course of the project as part of supporting the capacity building for IMI’s capabilities. The maritime yard in Saudi Arabia is a significant part of the country’s economic ambition and we are honoured be playing a role in its realisation.”
Recommended for you
