Gibdock’s strategy to carve a niche in the growing regional market for jack-up and semi-submersible drilling rig repairs, maintenance and modification work, is closer to fruition. Following the arrival in October of the 22,604gt Etesco Millennium, a modified semi-submersible built in 1976 by Marathon Le Tourneau and upgraded in 2006, steel repair work has been carried out afloat and tasks in the pipeline include tank cleaning and repair, and work to enable safe mooring. A survey of the rig structure is being carried out to ascertain its condition. The contract is an important landmark for Gibdock, which has not handled a drilling rig since 1998. “We believe that the successful completion of this project will lead to more work of this type,” says Beards.