The ultra-deepwater drillship Ocean BlackRhino, previously operated by Diamond Offshore and now part of Noble Corporation, has arrived in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, for its Special Periodic Survey (SPS). During this 80-day stay, the rig will undergo a major upgrade, including the installation of a Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) system, a key enhancement for future operations.
This comes on the heels of the drillship’s recent campaign for Apus Energy DMCC off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, which concluded late last month. Following the upgrade, Ocean BlackRhino will be ready to kick off operations for Beacon Offshore Energy in the Gulf of Mexico, with the project set to begin in early 2025.
The arrival of the rig for upgrades marks another milestone in the evolving partnership between Diamond Offshore and Noble Corporation. This fusion of two offshore drilling giants brings with it new opportunities for technological advancement and operational excellence, paving the way for a brighter future in the ultra-deepwater drilling sector.
