Seacore has mounted its own R100 dual derrick drill rig onto the Eidesvik dynamically positioned vessel Kingfisher toprovide the drilling and sampling services. Drilling and core sampling will be carried out to a depth of 350m below the seabed.

Special vortex shedding equipment and seabed borehole re-entry equipment has also been designed and built by Seacore for this project to enable the drilling to withstand the exceptionally strong currents at the site throughout the 300m water depth.

The joint venture partners claim that Seacore's R100 drill rig and Eidesvik's Kingfisher combine to deliver the most powerful geotechnical drill ship currently available. All of the team's capabilities will be called upon to cope with anticipated extreme conditions and to maximise the working window for drilling. The marine site investigation started last month and, depending on results, will last between 100 and 200 days.

The R100 drill was originally designed and built by Seacore for drilling and core sampling close to the North Pole. A global warming study managed by the British Geological Society was conducted along the Lomonosov Ridge in the Arctic Ocean last summer.

The new contract, valued at approximately 5 million, has potential options to be declared and is an important contribution in the development of the recently formed strategic alliance.

MJ Information No: 20326