Project Summary

Nikham Energy was engaged to support the critical upgrade of the West Eclipse, a Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) operated by Seadrill Limited. The West Eclipse is a semi-submersible drilling rig known for its versatility in deepwater drilling operations. It plays a significant role in exploring and extracting oil and gas in challenging offshore environments.

The scope of the project involved upgrading the MODU to a Dynamic Positioning (DP) moored system, enhancing its capability to maintain position in deep waters with greater precision and efficiency. This upgrade was essential to meet the evolving demands of offshore drilling operations and ensure the rig’s competitiveness in the industry.

Nikham Energy’s Role

Nikham Energy provided comprehensive support services, ensuring the project was executed smoothly and within the tight schedule. The services facilitated included:

• Flight Arrangements: Coordinating flights for personnel to and from Namibia, ensuring timely arrival for all phases of the project.
• Visa Applications: Handling the complex process of obtaining visas for all crew members, streamlining entry into Namibia.
• Meet & Greet: Offering a warm and professional welcome to all arriving personnel, facilitating a smooth transition from the airport to the project site.
• Road Transportation: Organising secure and reliable transportation to move personnel and equipment between various locations, including the port and offshore site.

Work Scope

The upgrade work was conducted with precision and efficiency, involving multiple specialised services:

• Manpower: A team of highly skilled professionals was deployed to manage and execute the upgrade tasks. Their expertise was crucial in maintaining the project’s high standards.
• Rope Access: Given the challenging nature of offshore work, rope access techniques were employed to reach difficult areas safely and effectively, minimising downtime and ensuring the integrity of the rig’s structure.
• Rigging: Complex rigging operations were necessary to handle the heavy equipment and components required for the DP mooring upgrade, all of which were executed with meticulous attention to safety and precision.
• Maintenance: The upgrade also included essential maintenance tasks to ensure the rig’s overall condition was optimised for its enhanced operational capabilities.

Outcome

The project was completed on time and to the highest standards, with the West Eclipse successfully upgraded to a DP-moored system. Nikham Energy’s meticulous planning and execution ensured that all aspects of the project ran smoothly, from logistics and manpower management to the execution of the technical upgrade. The result was a modernised rig capable of meeting the demands of deepwater drilling with enhanced stability and efficiency.