Deepwater drilling needs to become much more efficient. Since well delivery cost is a major component of deepwater projects, a 20% reduction in well delivery cost may pull deepwater projects back over the economic threshold. However, sustainability requires looking beyond dayrate reductions and focus on technology and innovation to drive down the well delivery duration and cost.

This presentation introduces the next generation drillship, featuring a factory-like approach to well construction, grounded with input from operators and third-party service providers. The design combines improved safety with automation and robotics to reduce bottlenecks and minimize controllable flat time for the entire well life cycle that will reduce the well duration and cost by 15 to 30%.

The author examines a distinctive vessel layout, a reorganized drill floor, a new design of hoisting system, independent mud and brine systems with 11,000-bbl and 17,000-bbl capacities with off-line tank cleaning, and a unique power distribution network to improve both thruster availability and allow maintenance while operating in an open bus configuration.