DNV has assisted with risk management services to a new drilling vessel that will exceed the current scientific drilling capabilities dramatically.

OD21 Ocean Drilling in the 21st Century will be capable of drilling down to a depth of 10,000 metres from the sea surface, and into the potential high-pressure zone to take core samples. The ships riser drilling system uses a large diameter pip (pipe in pipe) a so-called riser connecting the vessel to the wellhead on the seabed. The pip is used as a pathway for mud circulation and also guides the drill string for re-entry into the well.

OD21 is also the name of an international scientific program The Ocean Drilling Program under Japanese leadership. It aims to construct and develop the scientific riser drilling vessel, and to establish a co-operative scientific research system that will make an international contribution. Major countries participate in the program and it has achieved results such as substantiation of the plate tectonics, clarification of the plate boundary structure, and proof of past global environmental change. Now its objective is to construct a more comprehensive theory of the earth system. It has been found that mantle dynamics is the motive power of the plate tectonics. To find out more about this, the new drilling vessel was required.

The vessel is built to NK class and is expected to be in full operation as from 2005. DNV has assisted with risk management services and the owner has indicated a potential need for future assistance regarding management systems as well.

The vessel contains an extensive lab and helicopter-landing facilities, and will be able to accommodate 150 people on board once she is in operation. She was launched and named Chiky meaning the earth in Japanese by Princess Norinomiya in January at the Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Tamao Shipyard. During November, the ship will undergo sea trials to check hull performance and a commissioning test of her dynamic positioning system. After that, she will be towed to Nagasaki where her topsides will be installed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

The JApanese Marine and Science TEchnology Center JAMSTEC is the owner of the vessel. OD21 is part of The Ocean Drilling Program being conducted by JAMSTEC on behalf of the Japanese government. International research programmes will have the ship at their disposal in the future.