Expert deems Turkish threat on Cyprus drilling serious

Jerusalem Post ^ | 9/21/11 | Sharon Udasin

[Nachum]

A day after reports that Noble Energy had begun its natural gas drilling off the coast of Cyprus, amid threats from the Turkish government that it was considering deploying naval escort ships to protect exploration areas north of the country, an Israeli expert on the situation deemed the threats grave to both Cypriot and Israeli concerns. (Snip) Meanwhile, following a statement from Cypriot President Demetris Christofias that drilling was about to begin, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had threatened on Monday that Turkish aircraft, frigates and torpedo boats would be sent to watch over the eastern Mediterranean, Reuters said

[BlackVeil]

Quite a serious situation, developing without much public attention. Israel has recently increased its security and treaty links with Cyprus.

[oilfieldtrash]

Saber rattling. They are PO’ëd because there is lots of gas in southern cyprus but none in the north and they want to share in the riches. Too bad for them. I do not believe Turkey has the gonads to stop that operation.

They will spud with the Noble Homer Ferrington. Doesnt appear to be DP or dynamically positioned for a get away if they need to. If it is anchored you have to release from the moorings.

— Rig Specifications

General
Rig Type Semisubmersible
Rig Design Friede & Goldman 9500 Enhanced Pacesetter
Built By Vyborg Shipyard, Vyborg USSR
Year Constructed 1985;1999; 2004
Water Depth Rated 7200
Drilling Depth 30,000ft
Hull Dimensions 254’ x 225’ x 80’
Draft, Operating 55’
Draft, Transit 19’
Draft, Storm 40’
View Larger Image Heliport Sikorsky S61
Capacities Equipment
Quarters 150 Drawworks National Oilwell E-3000; 3,000 hp
Variable Load 4,000 st Pumps (4) National Oilwell 12-P-160; 1,600 hp
Mud Cement Bulk 14,550 cu ft Total HP 10,000
LiquidMud 6,150 bbls Hook Load 1,500,000 lbs
Active Mud 2,550 bbls Max Load 1,250 st
Reserve Mud 3,650 bbls Top Drive Varco TDS-4S
Fuel 8,638 bbls Derrick 170’ x 40’ x 40’
DrillWater 6,312 bbls Moonpool 25’ x 79’
PotableWater 2,873 bbls Bop System (1) Shaffer Type “SLX” Double 18-3/4” x 15,000 psi, (1) Shaffer Type “SLX” Double 18-3/4” x 15,000 psi(1) Shaffer 18-3/4” x 10,000 psi Spherical (1) Shaffer 18 3/4” x 5,000 psi Spherical
Cranes (2) Dreco 72 DNS160-1.8 King Post 64.5 st max SWL; (1) CraneMann bridge crane; 2 x 20 st; (1) Link Belt 40 st
Pipe Handling System Varco PRS-4i
Iron Roughneck Varco AR3200C
Mud Cleaner Brandt LCM-2D/CM2-24/3
Shakers (4) Brandt shakers LCM-2D linear motion cascade
Power Slips Varco BJ PS 30
Compensator Shaffer CMC, 600 kips
Riser Tensioner (10) single Shaffer 160 kip; 1,600 kips total
Mooring System (8) Skagit triple drum traction winch/windlass; 4,500 chain and 9,000 3-1/4

[SJackson]

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