On 23 February 2018 the Rig was dispatched into the sea from the offshore logistics and the supply base of the SOCAR’s Caspian Drilling Company in order to start drilling works. Owned by Azerbaijan Rig LLC, the Rig will be operated by Caspian Drilling Company in the Absheron gas field where SOCAR (50%) and Total (50%) hold shares. The agreement on exploration of the Absheron offshore block was signed on 27 February 2009.

It should be noted that upon the completion of the works on the ABX-2 well the Rig will start its works on ABD001 well which will lead the production of the first gas in Absheron field.

Visit to “Heydar Aliyev” Semi Submersible Drilling Rig has been carried out.

On 23 January 2018 representatives of the owner of the Rig “Azerbaijan Rigs” LLC, of its shareholder and of its auditor “PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit Azerbaijan” LLC paid a visit to the Rig. Visitors were informed about the installed third party equipment, multifunctional rooms, systems and helideck of the completed Rig where the mobilisation works are about to commence.

It should be noted that the Rig is scheduled to leave the port in the February.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of a new semi-submersible drilling rig named after Heydar Aliyev in an offshore supply and logistics base of SOCAR’s Caspian Drilling Company. Head of state was accompanied by shareholders of owner company Azerbaijan Rigs, the CEO of State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan Shahmar Movsumov, and president of SOCAR Rovnag Abdullayev.

Instructions regarding the construction of the 6th generation semi-submersible drilling rig were given by President Ilham Aliyev concerning the growing oil industry needs in Azerbaijan.

Construction of the rig was within the framework of the agreement that was signed between SOCAR’s Caspian Drilling Company Limited LLC and Keppel Offshore and Marine LTD on 04 June 2013. Keppel's subsidiary, “Caspian Rigbuilders PTE. LTD”, carried out the design and engineering of the rig while Caspian Shipyard Company LLC lead the construction. Considering the economic importance of this project, the financing of the project was executed by State Oil Fund (90%) and SOCAR (10%). Lower Hull Strike Steel was carried out on 20 September 2013, National oil workers day during the grand opening ceremony of Baku Shipyard Company with the attendance of President Ilham Aliyev. Construction of the rig was completed in May, 2017. Rig’s total length is 106.5 m, width 69.5 m, height is 130 m and gross tonnage is 26,000 tons. Capable of operating in depth of 1,000 m of water, the rig is built to drill up to 12,192 m.

The head of state also became familiar with the accommodation area of the rig. There is a photo gallery describing the oil strategy of the great leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev. Accommodation area consists of office, bedroom, recreation and computer rooms. This area is also equipped with catering, laundry, gym, cinema, library and conference rooms.

Heydar Aliyev semi-submersible drilling rig is the first and only rig in the world that has 1400 atmosphere system technology. Its variable deck load is 10,160 mt, gross tonnage is 31,602 tons. Maximum number of people on board is 160. Approximately 2,400 people have worked in the construction of the 6th generation semi-submersible drilling rig and 80 % of them were the citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Another construction site visit to the 6th generation Semi Submersible Drilling Rig has been carried out.

On March 07, 2017 representatives from State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan , one of the shareholders of the Project and “Azerbaijan Rigs” LLC, the owner of the rig visited the yard of the Caspian Shipyard Company where the construction of the rig is nearing its completion. Representatives were informed about the ongoing commissioning procedures and operating mode of the installed equipment by Project team.

It should be noted that, the rig is scheduled for delivery in Q2 2017.

One more visit to the New Generation Drilling Rig has been carried out.

On December 13, 2016 representatives from State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan, The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic, “Azerbaijan Rigs” LLC and “PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit Azerbaijan” LLC visited the Caspian Shipyard Company’s yard where the construction of the Rig is nearing its completion. Project team informed the visitors about the construction progress, ongoing commissioning procedures, showed installed equipment and multifunctional rooms for future Rig Crew.

It should be noted, that the delivery of the Drilling Rig is expected to happen in the beginning of 2017.

Construction site visit of new generation drilling rig has been held at Caspian Shipyard Company Ltd.

On February 10, 2016 representatives of State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan, “Azerbaijan Rigs” LLC and “PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit Azerbaijan” LLC visited the construction at the yard of Caspian Shipyard Company, obtained information about construction process and installed equipment.

Furthermore, as the delivery of the Rig is expected to happen this year, it is reported that such kind of visits will be organized more often.

Erection of Drill Floor Sub-structure to sixth generation semi-submersible drilling rig has been completed.

On January 15, 2016 the drill floor was successfully lifted and installed on the rig. The drill floor is located above the moon pool and over the drilling center of the rig. The derrick will be mounted on the drill floor, as well as other drilling equipment such as the drawworks, iron roughnecks, rotary table and drillers control cabin.

On November 23, 2016 milestone of Engine Start-up of semi-submersible drilling rig owned by “Azerbaijan Rigs” LLC has been completed.

While the testing due to the milestone achievement, all 4 engines were started individually and each of them was run for 5 minutes. Purpose of the test was just to start the engines and alarm testing, interface testing, load testing and parallel testing started afterwards.

A new 6th Generation Semi-submersible Drilling Rig DSS38M design will feature two (2) TTS NMF electro-hydraulic lattice boom offshore cranes of SWL 85t, customized for the Caspian Sea's harsh environment condition and enabling efficient load-handling.

The Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract between CDC and TTS NMF includes an extensive Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) at the TTS NMF facility in Hamburg/Germany. In June / July 2015 CDC Systems Manager New Builds Gordon McAllister and Azerbaijan Rigs General Manager Azer Valiyev jointed the FAT of the two completely assembled cranes. The successful testing included the emergency stop system, crane controls like luffing, slewing, hoisting as well as speed tests, different lift modes (e.g. ship-to-ship or personal lift), testing of limit switches and overload tests. The testing was accompanied by ABS Class representatives.

The final installation/commissioning on the semi-submersible drilling rig will start after arrival of the cranes at Caspian Shipyard Company in August 2015.

“TTS NMF is very pleased receiving the trust and professional support of CDC to deliver two top-quality offshore cranes in time and proving their enhanced workability and functionality at our workshop in Germany. With the mid-size offshore lattice boom crane contract we have shown that we can develop innovative products, and we look forward to delivering high-quality cranes that will serve the needs of the ship owner and operator” says Sales Manager Marc-Laurence Mühlenbeck.

TTS NMF is headquartered in Hamburg/Germany. 120 employees constantly underline the excellence and capability in view of in-house engineering, design and production of specialized cranes. TTS NMF offers one of the widest ranges of cargo and offshore lattice boom cranes in the market from SWL 50t up to SWL 1500t. TTS NMF focusses on the development of customized pedestal and leg-encircling lattice boom cranes for platforms and specialized vessels.

Factory Acceptance Test for instrumentation, control and automation of the Diesel Generator has been held at the factory of G&M Power Plant Ltd. in England. Representatives of Wartsila Finland OY, Caspian Drilling Company Limited LLC and Azerbaijan Rigs LLC also witnessed testing.

3-phase generator has 400 voltages power and 2591 full load current.

G&M Power Plant Ltd. has 70 years of experience in design, manufacturing, testing, installation and commissioning of power equipment.

Erection of Upper Hull Block of DSS38M model sixth generation semi-submersible drilling rig has been fulfilled.

The installation of 1st engine to new generation drilling rig has been completed.

Representatives of State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (one of the investors of Project), Azerbaijan Rigs LLC (owner), Caspian Drilling Company Limited LLC (main contractor) and PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit Azerbaijan LLC (financial auditor of the owner) visited the construction of sixth generation semi-submersible drilling rig at Caspian Shipyard Company.

They gained information on technical parameters of already installed equipment.

First Panton of sixth generation semi-submersible drilling rig was launched at Baku Shipyard Company. In his speech at the ceremony, General Manager of Baku Shipyard Company, Khee Chong Lam said that the order was executed at high level and sent his gratitude to the owners of it. Afterwards, Panton was launched in the presence of representatives of State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan and State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic, as well as the head of the State Maritime Administration, Gudrat Gurbanov and Chairman of Azerbaijan Caspian Sea Shipping Company, Rauf Valiyev. It is one of the first projects of Baku Shipyard Company.

Constructed Panton has 106 meters in length, 9 meters in height and 18 meters in width.

Baku Shipyard LLC joint venture was founded on May 10, 2011 under the laws of Republic of Azerbaijan, by the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan Investment Company, and Keppel Offshore Marine Ltd., has developed and put into operation the most modern shipbuilding and ship-repair facility in the Caspian Sea.

Ceremony has been held at Caspian Shipyard Company due to Lower Hull Keel Laying of semi-submersible drilling rig.

Laying the keel, or laying down is the formal recognition of the start of a ship's construction. It is often marked with a ceremony attended by dignitaries from the shipbuilding company and the ultimate owners of the ship.

Upper Hull Strike Steel milestone of DSS38M model sixth generation semi-submersible drilling rig has been completed.

It should be noted that full amount of steel required for the project has been ordered out of the country and it is delivered to Baku in accordance with the intervals of the construction process.