Discoverer Enterprise is a fifth generation deepwater double hulled dynamically positioned drillship (ASTANO FPSO design) owned and operated by Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling Inc., capable of operating in moderate environments and water depths up to 3,049 m (10,000 ft) using an 18.75 in (47.6 cm), 15,000 psi blowout preventer (BOP), and a 21 in (53 cm) outside diameter (OD) marine riser.[3] From 1998 to 2005 the vessel was Panama-flagged and currently flies the flag of convenience of the Marshall Islands.[2]

Quick Facts History, General characteristics ...
Discoverer Enterprise in the foreground on May 26, 2010, directly over the blowout preventer during the top kill procedure in the Deepwater Horizon disaster.
History
NameDiscoverer Enterprise
OwnerTriton Asset Leasing GmbH
OperatorTransocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling Inc.
Port of registry Marshall Islands, Majuro
Builder Astilleros y Talleres del Noroeste (ASTANO), Fene, Spain
Laid down14 March 1997
Launched1 August 1998
Completed1999
Identification
FateScrapped in 2019/2020[1]
Notes[2]
General characteristics
TypeDNV 1A1 Ship-shaped Drilling Unit Storage Unit HELDK CRANE E0 DYNPOS-AUTR
Tonnage69,500 DWT; 63,190 GT
Length254.4 m (835 ft)
Beam38.05 m (124.8 ft)
Draught13 m (43 ft)
Propulsion
  • 6 × Cegelec 5500kw, 1260vac
  • 6 × AC Aquamaster 7000hp thrusters
Capacity
  • Liquid Mud: 2,447 m3 (86,400 cu ft)
  • Drill Water: 2,177 m3 (76,900 cu ft)
  • Potable Water: 794 m3 (28,000 cu ft)
  • Fuel Oil: 3,972 m3 (140,300 cu ft)
  • Bulk Mud: 453 m3 (16,000 cu ft)
  • Bulk Cement: 453 m3 (16,000 cu ft)
Crew> 200
Notes[2]
Close

Discoverer Enterprise has two sister ships, Discoverer Spirit completed in 1999, and Discoverer Deep Seas completed in 2000.

The ship was the first to offer a dual drilling derrick capability. The dual derricks allowed simultaneous operations to be performed, and according to Transocean increased efficiency by 40 percent.[4]

The US$360 million ship gives its name to the Enterprise Class of large deepwater drillships.[5]

Deepwater Horizon spill response

The ship operates in the Gulf of Mexico under contract to BP. The drilling vessel has equipment that allow it to process hydrocarbons, and is capable of handling up to 15,000 barrels per day (2,400 m3/d).[6] On June 3, 2010, several weeks after the explosion of Deepwater Horizon, Discoverer Enterprise was used to collect oil and gas from the damaged subsea wellhead by lowering a cap connected via a drilling riser over the release, and collecting oil and gas.[7]

See also

References

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