03 January 2013

USA / ENERGY : New Shell / Noble Rig...Invades The Gulf.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323874204578217643344492014.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
      Especially for barrelheads

     An advanced new type of drilling ship is being employed in the Gulf of Mexico by Royal Dutch Shell Oil.
    Called the Noble Bully 1...the ship employs new digital technologies...and though smaller than usual riggers...is still 2 football fields long...and weighs 30,300 gross tons.
   Shell claims it can drill 40,000 feet below the seabed...with its unusual fully enclosed tower.
    It is also highly automated with 40% fewer workers than a normal drill ship.
   Shell has been a leader in offshore technology.