Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU)

Noble Offshore gets involved during the design phase of MODUs, whether they are a jack-up, semi-submersible, drillship or other configuration, and puts zero discharge, low emissions and electrical solutions to reduce onboard oil volumes and associated pollution risks high on the agenda.Noble Offshore provides a range of services for MODUs, including:

• Structural
• Naval architecture
• Dynamic positioning
• Machinery and piping
• Electrical and instrumentation
• Drilling systems
• Mooring and risers
• Geotechnical and metocean

Design
Design work starts at the early conceptual phase leading on to full, detailed engineering, design and drafting for both new-builds and upgrades / modifications. Noble Offshore plays an industry-leading role in the development of tools for mooring and riser design and analysis, including innovative anchor systems. Our knowledge of class requirements and other regulations ensures compliance throughout all work.

Build
During construction or upgrade of an MODU, Noble Offshore’s specialist site personnel represent the owner for the duration of the project. This direct contact ensures that the finished unit meets with the specifications and terms of the contract and is delivered to the owner’s satisfaction.

Typical site teams comprise of structural, machinery, piping, electrical, instrumentation, coatings and accommodation / outfitting specialists.

In addition, similar tasks are often performed on behalf of banks and other financial institutions throughout construction. This is in order to assure lenders of conformance with contractual and technical requirements.

Install
On completion of the MODU, the next requirement typically is to float the unit to its operating site. Our extensive experience in MODU transportation informs our in-depth analysis of transportation, and installation ensures that the unit is not damaged en route. In many cases the MODU is transported onboard a heavy-lift vessel.

Noble Offshore can perform:

• Load-out and transportation analysis
• Cribbing and sea-fastening arrangements necessary for design
• Supervision of the load-out and offload of the unit
• Geotechnical analysis for jack-up

Operate
Using our unique mix of experienced engineers and mariners among classification societies, Noble Offshore can offer extensive operations-related services. Core activities, such as the provision of marine warranty services, are a significant part of the operational work undertaken. In addition, we undertake rig-moving for clients and are fully appraised of rules and regulations for MODU operation.