Land rig on barge (with optional submerged caissons)

Land rig on barge (with optional submerged caissons) is one of the drilling rig design concepts for offshore shallow water depth environments.

86-barge caisson

Barges are a proven concept in shallow water and can operate in water depth of 1 to 4 m.
With additional submerged caissons, operating range may be extended to say 1-8 m range. Although this has not been used in the Caspian, it is not considered a high risk factor.
Environmental Impact Potentially low.
Ice and sea will generate significant movement and forces on the barge, whether floating or on bottom. Concept suitable for ice if strengthened hull plus rubble making berms or piles to help break up floating ice loads.
Rig Moves during winter may be possible if a modular rig and two barges are employed (leap frogging).
Suitable for exploration. May be designed for small clusters. Logistics of assembling barges, caissons, rig, accommodation may be complex.
Suitable barge may be available in the Caspian region. Simple barges could be fabricated quickly and relatively cheaply locally. Barge could be fabricated outside Caspian and brought in through Don-Volga disassembled. Lead time potentially low.
Large flexibility on type of rig used on barge with regards to weights and layout on say a 30m x 130m barge. Land rig may require extensive minor changes, particularly to rig wiring. If required rig could be rigged up on location, or pre-installed in operational mode.

Other drilling rig design concepts for shallow water depth environments will include:

2. Land rig on barge (with optional submerged caissons)

3. Swamp Barge (With Optional Submerged Caissons)