Until recently, operators have often been faced with a stark choice when planning their deep and ultra deep (over 5,000 ft) water drilling programs. They either paid the high cost of major Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) upgrades or the high day rates associated with new, 5th Generation MODUs. Recently, the Surface BOP (SBOP) Concept appeared as an alternative with attractive advantages under certain circumstances. A third alternative is herein presented. Namely, the Slim Riser Concept that can be used to bring older 3rd and 4th Generation rigs into the deepwater arena on a favorable economic basis, but still maintain many of the advantages of the standard, Conventional 21-inch riser, 18-3/4 inch BOP subsea system.
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