On September 28, CNPC Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd. (CPOE) released a public notice regarding the candidates for the procurement of two 400-foot jack-up drilling rigs. The notice identifies Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore Co. (DSOC) as the selected candidate, with a bid price of RMB 1.7722 billion (approximately US$264 million). The procurement method for this project was direct procurement.
According to the tender specifications, the 400-foot jack-up drilling rig features a maximum operating water depth of at least 122 meters, a maximum drilling depth of at least 10,668 meters, a variable deck load capacity of at least 6,200 tonnes during drilling operations, and accommodation for at least 140 personnel. With an offshore endurance of at least 20 days, it is capable of high-pressure and cluster-well operations and is suitable for exploration and development activities in shallow waters across China, South America, and Southeast Asia.
The design, construction, modification, and inspection of the platform must comply with the rules of classification societies such as CCS and ABS, as well as the full suite of international maritime and drilling industry standards, including SOLAS, MARPOL, and API. Integrated system commissioning must be completed prior to delivery, and CCS classification must be finalized upon delivery; additionally, complete sets of equipment drawings and operation & maintenance manuals must be provided in both hard-copy and electronic formats.
The tender documents indicate that the planned acquisition of two 400-foot jack-up drilling rigs aims to support the high-quality development of the Group’s offshore operations, implement the “Dual-Sea” strategy of the China Petroleum Technical Service Corporation Limited, and meet the needs for reserve and production growth in the Suriname overseas oil and gas project and the domestic Bohai oilfields.
It is worth noting that the two platforms are scheduled for delivery by December 30, 2026, and May 30, 2027, respectively; this implies that they are most likely “inventory” offshore platforms held by DSOC.