Bloomberg reported last week that many of the offshore rigs that have been cold stacked are set to be completely scrapped, casting a huge blow to many rig operators’ business. They described the event as, “the most aggressive in an unprecedented experiment with what’s called cold stacking for big drillships.”
In our experience, cold stacking of MODUs is actually not an “unprecedented experiment” if accomplished with desiccant dehumidifiers. Desiccant dehumidifiers have been used by the US Navy Reserve Fleet for long-term cold stacking for years. They are recommended by ABS’s MODU Lay-up and Reactivation Guide originally printed in 1986 and reprinted in 2016. Eldridge was cold stacking offshore rigs with them back in the mid-80s during a similar downturn and we are cold stacking modern day rigs during this present crisis for a number of major offshore drilling contractors using the same method.
The question remains, if this is a well-documented process recommended for over 30 years, why isn’t everyone doing it for long-term lay-ups? The answer is that cold stacking with desiccant dehumidifiers costs more up front than just turning off the engines and walking away. In the long run, however, desiccant dehumidifiers really are the best option for rig lay-ups.
A modern offshore rig that is properly preserved with desiccant dehumidifiers will survive long-term cold stacking and be able to return to operation faster when needed. Eldridge will be glad to share this knowledge and know-how with any MODU owner without obligation.
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