Summary
Launched in 1962, the self-propelled drilling ship Glomar III played an important role in the establishment of Victoria's Bass Strait natural gas fields.
Beginning in December 1964 the Glomar III discovered the Barracouta and Marlin gas fields by March 1966 on behalf of Esso Australia and BHP which have since built drilling rig platforms to supply Victoria with natural gas. It was fitted with six Cummins VT-12-GA-30 diesel engines driving two screws. A helicopter platform is fitted on a raised structure at the stern of the vessel. The drilling rig was able to reach a depth of 25,000 feet. It was owned and operated by the Global Marine Company. This model was commissioned by the Institute of Applied Science of Victoria (a predessor of Museums Victoria) from Marcus John Traylen, of Highett, Victoria, and was received at the museum in June 1969.
Physical Description
Wooden model ship with hull painted black and red with tall superstructure over central section for extracting oil. Rigging from drill tower and stern mast removed for Think Ahead exhibition, 2013.
More Information
-
Collecting Areas
-
Acquisition Information
Purchase from Mr M. J. Traylen, by Jun 1969
-
Modelmaker
Mr M. J. Traylen, Highett, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1968-1969
-
Owner of Item Depicted
Global Marine lnc., Houston, Texas, United States of America, circa 1965-1969
-
Inscriptions
On the front of the model: GLOMAR III On the rear of the model: GLOMAR III / GALVESTON TEXAS
-
Classification
Water transport, Internal combustion power - motor vessels, Model motor vessels - exploration
-
Category
-
Discipline
-
Type of item
-
Overall Dimensions
641 mm (Length), 136 mm (Width), 458 mm (Height)
-
References
"A model of Glomar III. was constructed to order by Mr. M. J. Traylen. Glomar III., a self-propelled drilling rig, earned the great honour of being the first drilling unit to find commercial gas and oil in the offshore Gippsland Basin, and in fact in the whole Australian continental shelf. Although wholly designed as a drilling rig, Glomar III. is a ship in her own right and as such more mobile than the perhaps more spectacular semi-submersible rigs. We are greatly indebted to Global Marine lnc. for the supply of drawings and photographs required by the model maker." (illustrated) [IASV Report of Actives 1968-69, pp.13-14]
[Other] The Institute of Applied Science of Victoria, Report of Activities., 1968-69, pp.13-14 Pages
-
Keywords
Drilling Rigs, Natural Gas, Oil & Gas Industry, Oil & Natural Gas Exploration & Production, Petrochemical Products, Ships, Scale Models, Ship Models
