South Korean yards are said to be heading the bidding to build the hull of a semi-submersible oil production vessel for U.S. oil company ExxonMobil for the Hadrian North deepwater oilfield development in the Gulf of Mexico.
The main bidders for the hull-fabrication contract are Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries. Hull design is being carried out by Aker. U.S. yards are said to be leading the bidding for topsides deck fabrication. Kiewit Offshore and McDermott are seen as leading U.S. bidders. Mustang Engineering in Houston is undertaking detailed engineering design of the topsides.
ExxonMobil is said to be awaiting final examinations of the size of the Hadrian North reserves before making a decision on awarding construction contracts.