Special Partners Frederick T. Haas, III, Christopher E. Carey, and Joseph L. Spilman, III represented Coastal Drilling Company, LLC in the successful negotiations with multiple parties to amend a drilling contract, a master time charter, a salvage contract, equipment contracts, associated work orders and related insurance contracts (Hull and Machinery, Wreck Removal, Protection and Indemnity, General Liability/Contractual Coverage and Excess/Umbrella/Bumbershoot Liability) in connection with the December 17, 2024 Special Segment transit of Coastal Drilling’s Rig 22, one of the largest inland waters drill barges in the world, from the Berry Brothers dock on the Intracoastal Waterway just below the bridges at Morgan City to the Garber Brothers dock just above the bridges. In order to clear the bridges, Rig 22 had to be dismantled (the drill mast and some superstructure removed) and partially submerged to pass underneath the old Highway 182 bridge. The Special Segment was supervised by an international salvage company (who had successfully performed this transit on two previous occasions) using a specially rigged winch barge, two ballast barges and four tugs. Once reassembled, Rig 22 will be towed to its ultimate destination in the Atchafalaya Basin where it will engage in drilling operations in excess of 30,000 feet. It is expected that Rig 22 will be working for the private oil and gas venture operator over the next several years.
