In managing Aker Solutions' product portfolio, a new class of semisubmersible drilling rig design branded Aker H-7000 has been developed for deepwater applications. The service area for Aker H-7000 is worldwide, with the exception of the extreme conditions of the North Atlantic in winter season. The primary drivers for the new design have been flexibility and cost efficiency.
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The primary drivers for the new design have been flexibility and cost efficiency.
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The design builds on experience from the Aker H-series, with its good motion characteristics and well-proven concept. In order to facilitate floatover integration, the vertical trusses have been eliminated; however horizontal diagonals, similar to that of the Njord production semisubmersible, have been retained to alleviate the deck from dynamic loads and fatigue. This is a highly valued feature among operators, allowing for easy modifications of the topside structure for adaptation to new equipment, which is likely to occur over the lifetime of the unit.
Current series includes applications of 5 000 and 7 000 tonnes payload. In addition to the semisubmersible drilling rig designs, a drillship design for ultra deepwater is also under development by Aker Solutions.