Prosafe extends accommodations fleet offshore Mexico, commissions newbuilds

Offshore staff

LARNACA, Cyprus – Cotemar Group has confirmed contract extensions offshore Mexico for Prosafe’s accommodation semisubmersibles Safe Britannia, Safe Lancia, and Jasminia.

The contracts now run until end-March, mid-September, and late-May, respectively. Total value of the extensions is roughly $21 million

Prosafe has commissioned two newbuild accommodation rigs. Striking of steel forSafe Boreas started at Jurong Shipyard (JSPL) in Singapore last October. The rig should be ready for delivery in summer 2014.

In November, Prosafe entered into a turnkey contract with JSPL for construction of a second harsh environment accommodation semi to be namedSafe Zephyrus. Delivery is scheduled around end-2014.

Prosafe says that the latest semi, similar in design toSafe Boreas, will be the world’s most advanced and versatile accommodation unit, with capacity to house a crew of 450 in single-man cabins.

Both new rigs will be of the GVA 3000E design, incorporating a DP-3 dynamic positioning system and a 12-point mooring arrangement. This will allow the rig to operate in both DP and anchored mode, aiding cost efficiency and flexibility.

Overall price, including yard cost, owner-furnished equipment, project management, and financing is estimated at about $350 million.

JSPL has granted Prosafe options for two further newbuilds to operate either on the Norwegian continental shelf or for worldwide operations outside the North Sea. Prosafe has a third newbuild option that came with the first contract signed in December 2011.

2/8/2013