Giant drilling rig LEIV EIRIKSSON passed Bosphorus for oil exploration
Leiv Eiriksson, a giant oil drilling platform, passed through the Istanbul Strait to enter the Black Sea where Turkey and Brazil will carry out joint oil explorations. In April 2009, state-owned petroleum companies, Turkey’s TPAO and Brazil’s Petrobras, signed an agreement for oil exploration in the Black Sea.
The 120-meter tall tower of the platform was cut in order to allow it to pass under two bridges along the strait. Leiv Eiriksson will drop anchor off Sinop. Its operations are expected to begin in mid-February after the tower is re-assembled. It will drill in water depths down to 6,000 meters with a daily cost of up to USD 1 million. The platform will remain in the Black Sea for five years.
LEIV EIRIKSSON, IMO number : 9429584
Call Sign : UNKNOWN
Gross tonnage : 46950
DWT : 78000
Type of ship : Hopper Dredger
Year of build :2010
Flag : Luxemburg
Passing Bosphorus strait on 31 dec 2009
