“Vietnam’s mastery of jack-up rig technology, exemplified by Tam Dao 03 and 05, places the nation among global engineering leaders.”
Fabrication of Jack-Up Rigs in Vietnam
Vietnam and the “18,000-Ton Technology Feat”: A Breakthrough Achieved by Only 5% of Nations
INTRODUCTION
Vietnam Masters Jack-Up Rig Technology
During the fabrication of jack-up rigs, Vietnamese engineers faced numerous challenges. However, Vietnam successfully created a remarkable project that bears the mark of Vietnamese ingenuity.
On February 11, 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a conference on scientific and technological development. The conference emphasized the importance of innovation, digital transformation, and high-quality human resources for economic growth.
Notably, Vietnam has mastered jack-up rig technology, reducing import dependency and increasing localization value.
The Technological Feat of the Tam Dao 03 Rig
According to the Government Electronic Portal, Tam Dao 03 is the first jack-up rig manufactured entirely by Vietnam. The rig weighs nearly 12,000 tons, with a leg length of 145 meters, operational depth of 107 meters, and drilling capacity of 6,100 meters.
This is a technological milestone for Vietnam’s oil and gas sector, affirming the nation’s mechanical engineering capabilities. Before 2011, all jack-up rigs operating in Vietnam were imported.
The project had a total investment of over $180 million and was classified as a national key mechanical engineering project. PV Shipyard served as the main contractor.
Construction of Tam Dao 03 began in June 2009 and was completed two months ahead of schedule, becoming operational in June 2012. Initially, the Vietnam-Russia joint venture, Vietsovpetro, was skeptical of the project. However, after persuasion, industry leaders decided to invest.
Through tremendous effort, Tam Dao 03 achieved a 30% localization rate, becoming the first rig assembled in Vietnam. It is capable of exploration drilling, well repair, and oil and gas extraction.
Notably, Tam Dao 03 can withstand harsh maritime conditions, such as strong waves, high winds, and earthquakes. The rig’s complex design required the collaboration of various engineering disciplines.
During fabrication, the engineering team installed 9,685 tons of structural components, 1,748 tons of equipment, and 950 tons of pipelines. Automated electrical systems and interior architecture were also integrated seamlessly.
Producing rigs domestically has enabled Vietnam to reduce import dependency, saving substantial foreign exchange.
Figure 1: Tam Dao 03 Jack-Up Rig
From Tam Dao 03 to Tam Dao 05: A Major Breakthrough
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the success of Tam Dao 03 paved the way for PV Shipyard to take on the Tam Dao 05 jack-up rig as the main contractor. The project, funded by Vietsovpetro, commenced on December 10, 2013.
On November 4, 2016, Tam Dao 05 left the port to perform its first mission at the White Rabbit oil field. At the time, it was Vietnam’s largest jack-up rig, weighing 1.5 times more than Tam Dao 03.
The total construction weight of Tam Dao 05 reached 18,000 tons. The rig has a leg height of 167 meters, an operational depth of 122 meters, and a drilling capacity of 9,144 meters. It can withstand typhoons up to Category 12 and waves as high as 20.7 meters.
For Tam Dao 05, PV Shipyard employed the Skidding method, used for the first time in Vietnam. Notably, the project utilized domestic experts instead of relying on foreign specialists.
While Tam Dao 03 required 13 foreign experts, Tam Dao 05 needed only two. The hours spent hiring experts were reduced from 43,000 to 11,000, increasing localization value by $76 million.
The construction time for Tam Dao 05 was equivalent to Tam Dao 03 despite a 50% increase in workload. The project utilized a significant amount of domestic equipment, saving $8 million for the contractor and investor, with total savings reaching $38 million.
This success not only marked a technological achievement but also created jobs for 1,500–3,000 workers over 24–30 months.
Figure 2: Tam Dao 05 Jack-Up Rig
Vietnam Joins the 5% of Nations Mastering Technology
According to PetroVietnam, with the success of Tam Dao 03 and Tam Dao 05, Vietnam has become one of 10 countries (5% globally) capable of independently designing, fabricating, and operating jack-up rigs.
This achievement strengthens Vietnam’s position in the oil and gas industry and opens significant opportunities in the region. Riglogix data indicates Southeast Asia requires 45–50 jack-up rigs annually, while supply meets only 70–80% of demand.
IHS Petrodata reports that the average global rental rate for jack-up rigs in September 2024 ranged from $100,000 to $130,000 per day. Some new contracts reached $150,000 per day, particularly in Southeast Asia and Australia.
Amid this trend, PV Drilling seized the opportunity. In 2015, the company independently designed and fabricated the PV DRILLING VI jack-up rig, saving over $30 million compared to foreign leases.
Recently, PV Drilling launched the multi-purpose PV DRILLING VIII jack-up rig, set to be operational by Q4 2025. On February 17, 2025, the PV DRILLING VIII rig, along with 25 personnel, departed Labuan, Malaysia, for Vung Tau, entering the project’s second phase.
These advancements enhance Vietnam’s oil and gas sector efficiency, reduce production costs, and limit import reliance. They also promote sustainable development, affirming Vietnam’s global position.
Future Vision and Global Trends
Amid the increasing global energy demand, Vietnam’s mastery of 18,000-ton jack-up rig fabrication technology enhances its autonomy in deep-sea resource exploration. This achievement also reduces reliance on renting rigs from abroad, cuts costs, and boosts the competitiveness of Vietnam’s oil and gas industry.
Furthermore, with the ongoing shift of production from China to Vietnam driven by the trade war, the demand for energy, particularly from oil and gas sources, is expected to grow steadily. Mastery of 18,000-ton jack-up rig technology enables Vietnam to effectively meet this demand while opening opportunities for exporting related technologies and services.
Figure 3: PV DRILLING VIII Jack-Up Rig
CONCLUSION
The successful fabrication of jack-up rigs like Tam Dao 03 and Tam Dao 05 marks a significant milestone for Vietnam’s mechanical engineering in the oil and gas sector. These achievements not only reduce dependence on foreign technology but also enhance localization rates and save considerable production costs. Additionally, projects such as PV DRILLING VI and PV DRILLING VIII continue to showcase Vietnam’s capability in designing and fabricating jack-up rigs domestically. These accomplishments strengthen Vietnam’s presence on the global oil and gas map while paving the way for sustainable growth in an increasingly globalized world.
(Vn-Industry.)
Source: Compiled
Home page: https://vn-industry.com/
