Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore Limited (CIMC Raffles), has secured an order from Beacon Holdings Group Ltd, to build one unit of harsh environment ice class semi-submersible drilling rig.

The rig, to be named the Beacon Atlantic, is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2016. In addition, the Owner has an option to build another similar semi-submersible drilling rig with CIMC Raffles.

Beacon Atlantic will be built to the GM4-D design, which is carried out in cooperation between CIMC Raffles and the designer Global Maritime.

Beacon Atlantic will be able to operate at water depth up to 500 meters and drill wells down to 8000 meters. It will be equipped with NOV drilling package, DP3 and 8-point mooring system. The rig is designed to operate in the harsh North Sea environment and also other challenging regions such as the Arctic and Barents Sea. It is able to resist the strongest storm in the North Sea, and fulfills the requirements of NMA, NORSOK and PSA Standards. The rig is classed by DNV.

Beacon Atlantic is the second GM4-D design semi-submersible drilling rig contracted by CIMC Raffles after the first unit which is named as North Dragon. North Sea Rigs AS is managing the projects on behalf of the owners for both rigs.