Project Background and Objective
Client: Eldorado Drilling.
Location: South Korea, Singapore, Brazil.
Project Duration: September 2023 – April 2025
Background: In April 2023, Eldorado Drilling completed the acquisition of Atlantic Zonda from Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), Geoje, South Korea. Later that same year, Zonda secured a contractual agreement with Petrobras for offshore operations in Brazil, with operations commencing in February 2024, managed by Ventura Offshore.
Objective: Pelago Management was engaged as Project Manager by Eldorado Drilling to manage the project from the delivery of Atlantic Zonda from Samsung Heavy Industry in Geoje, South Korea, upgrades in Seatrium Singapore, to operations commencement in Brazil.
Pelago Project Management Team:
- Project Manager
- Construction Manager
- Project Engineer
- MPD/Driller Supervisor
- Sr. Subsea
- Marine
- PE E&I
- E&I/MPD
- 4 x E&I
- Controller
- Planner
- Buyer
- Document Controller
Pelago’s Project Team, in collaboration with Eldorado Drilling and Ventura Offshore, meticulously managed each phase of the project:
Shipyard Construction, Activation & Commissioning
- Ensured the safe and timely delivery of Atlantic Zonda from Samsung Heavy Industry, Geoje, Korea.
- Ensure asset meets contract specifications, and completion meets budget and timelines.
- Procurement of long-lead items.
- Commissioning of systems and vendors’ packages.
- Sea trials, DP trials, shock and motion tests where required.
- Class & flag state certification, final acceptance by owner.
Asset- & Operations Preparation
- Planning and Budgeting: Develop detailed plans and budgets for asset activation and overseeing the rig’s preparation for operation.
- Operational Readiness: Developed and implemented safety management systems, vessel maintenance procedures, safety case, and procured necessary spare parts, tools, and consumables.
- Upgrades and Enhancements: Completed extensive modifications, including installation of a new Crown Mounted Compensator (CMC), Managed pressure Drilling (MPD) and third-party equipment, such as ROV and Cutting Dryer system. Upgrade BOP to current standards.
- Obsolescence Management: Upgraded critical systems such as the Dynamic Positioning (DP) System, Vessel Management System and Drilling Control System to the latest available versions.
- Thrusters Overhaul: Overhauled six thrusters to guarantee top performance and reliability.
- Regulatory Compliance: Implemented modifications to meet Brazilian regulations, ensuring smooth entry into the local market.
Conclusion
Pelago’s strategic management and technical expertise ensured the project’s success, reinforcing its reputation for delivering complex, high-stakes maritime projects with precision and efficiency. The Atlantic Zonda now stands as a flagship asset, ready to redefine industry standards with advanced technology and regulatory compliance for Petrobras’s offshore operations in Brazil. The project showcased Pelago’s unique service offering as a Project Manager:
- Fast deployment of project team on the ground.
- Executing comprehensive project within a tight schedule, and within budget.
- Fostering collaboration among multiple stakeholders across different regions.
Pelago gratefully acknowledges the dedicated efforts of the project team, partners, and stakeholders who contributed to this achievement. Special thanks to Ventura Offshore for their unwavering collaboration and Eldorado Drilling for trusting Pelago to lead this transformative project.
Contact information
Tor Inge Gran
tig@pelagomanagement.com
Asset Specifications:
Design: Samsung 96K, 1200
Hull Dimensions: 228 x 42 x 19m
Displacement: 96,400 MT
Operating Draft: 12m
Maximum Water Depth: 12 000 ft.
Drilling Depth: 40 000 ft.
Variable Deck Load: 22 000 MT
POB: 200
Cabin Type: 20 x 1p cabin, 90 x 2p cabin
Moonpool Size: 25.6 x 12.5m
Maximum Transit Speed: 11.5 knots
