Leaping ahead in drilling rig cyber security and IoT

DNV GL chief executive for maritime Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen said this notation demonstrates critical onboard systems are secure from cyber threats. This includes its dynamic positioning (DP) class 3 propulsion and auxiliary engineroom systems, drilling rigs and blowout preventors.

“As ships become more connected, they are exposed to cyber risks,” said Mr Nilssen. “We have awarded our first cyber secure notation to Stena Drilling for its drillship.”

Stena IceMax was the world’s first DP, dual-mast drillship with ice-class when it entered service in 2012.

Built by Samsung Heavy Industries with polar class from DNV GL, it has a NOV-supplied dual hoisting and drilling tower. Stena IceMax has six Wärtsilä-supplied 16-valve 32C diesel engines, rated at 7.68 MW, that drive six ABB alternators and variable speed drives and six Rolls-Royce UUC-505 azimuthing ice-class thrusters. Its DP3 has a Kongsberg K-Pos DP-32 dual redundant control system and K-Pos DP-12 backup control system. Stena IceMax has two blowout preventors rated at 15,000 psi.

In addition, DNV GL has agreements with both Kongsberg and Wärtsilä to share data and collaborate on IT platforms for maritime and offshore sectors.

Mr Nilssen said this is enabled through DNV GL’s Veracity platform that is “in an ecosystem of various platforms”. He continued, “We will collaborate with data sharing, standards and enhancing existing products and services.”

• DNV GL and Wärtsilä collaborate to accelerate digitalisation transformation
• Class and vendors share data for ship optimisation
• Award-winning platform supports collaboration

DNV GL chief executive of digital solutions Kenneth Vareide said the class society was also helping Dolphin Drilling to use internet of things technology (IoT). This is monitoring blowout preventors on an active semi-submersible drilling rig.

“This is a combination of our competence and their willingness to use a digital twin for visualising data in their offices, and looking at testing and monitoring of blowout preventors,” said Mr Vareide. He said the operator of the rig and the energy company operating the well this semi-submersible rig is drilling will receive the IoT data from this collaboration.