Eirik Raude Leaves Yard For Sea Trials

Ocean Rig’s second semi-submersible drilling rig, Eirik Raude, left the Irving Shipyard in Halifax this morning local time to commence a four week period of sea trials. The rig will first undergo inclination testing followed by thruster and various system tests. These will be performed in sheltered waters. Eirik Raude will thereafter move offshore for the remainder of the testing program, which will be carried out close to the rig's first drilling location in deep water outside Nova Scotia. Ocean Rig expects that Eirik Raude will complete the sea trials and start operations under the EnCana drilling contract primo October this year.