Drilling rig

Fully clad derrick

The steel structure of the 70 metre high drilling tower on the Mittelplate Drilling and Production island is clad in stainless steel sheeting. The full and permanent enclosure of the derrick is designed for:

• Reduction of noise and light emissions in the ecologically sensitive Wattenmeer National Park
• Protection of personnel against wind and adverse weather conditions
• Protection of the rig itself against the elements and corrosion

The stainless-steel profiled sheeting requires very little maintenance. Encasing the derrick permanently is being carried out to improve the already high standards of work safety on the drilling and production island in the tidal flats off Schleswig-Holstein’s coast. RWE Dea invested around Euro 1.8 million in this measure to optimise work and health safety on Mittelplate. The sheet metal cladding was installed on the tower of the T-150 drilling rig in the course of the mandatory 4-year overhaul.

Drilling rig T-150

The T-150 is one of the most modern drilling rigs in Europe today. It is deployed in the development of Germany largest oil field – the Mittelplate reservoir. The drilling rig, worth around 50 million euros, is specially equipped to allow it to operate in the ecologically sensitive Wattenmeer tidelands without harming the environment. The total output of the T-150 is 10,000 HP. Being a drilling rig of the very latest generation, it is electrically powered, which means low noise levels and zero emissions.