Delmar Completes First Suction Anchor Installation 

BROUSSARD, LA - Delmar Systems, Inc. partnered with Shell Deepwater Development Inc., to successfully design and install the Gulf of Mexico's first suction anchor mooring system for an offshore drilling rig. The mooring was on the semi submersible drilling rig Transocean Marianas in 5,391 feet of water at Green Canyon Block 854 in the Gulf of Mexico.

This world-record mooring depth was accomplished using the single vessel installation procedure conducted with the newly delivered anchor handling vessel Gary Chouest owned by Edison Chouest Offshore, Inc.

The mooring system consists of eight, 12-foot diameter by 60-foot long suction anchors embedded in the seafloor and attached to 10,000 feet of 3 ¾" wire rope with the specially designed Delmar Subsea Connector. The connector allowed mooring line connection by an ROV provided by Oceaneering International, Inc.

"This successful mooring has established a new and efficient capability for ultra deep water operations," said Billy Bergeron, Delmar Project Manager. "It also confirms Shell's leadership position in developing and utilizing deepwater technology for oil and gas exploration and production. We are proud to be part of this team."

Delmar has provided this mooring system to Shell under a 5-year contract and expects it and other similar systems to be used in water depths of up to 10,000 feet.

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