International Offshore Services poised to capture emerging opportunities
International Offshore Services Llc (IOS) has launched a newbuild program to capture emerging opportunities in the decommissioning and pipelay market segments in the Gulf of Mexico.
Formed in 2006, IOS through its three wholly-owned subsidiaries provide support for drilling and production in the Gulf. International Marine Llc (IM) provides marine transportation from its 47 utility, mini-supply, and tug vessels; International Construction Group Llc (ICG) conducts turnkey platform installation and removals, pipelay, and marine salvage; and Premium Energy Services offers integrated well services, including plugging and abandonment, coiled tubing, and well workover.
Heavy-lift capability
There are an estimated 90 to 200 structures decommissioned in the GoM annually; and there are over 4,000 structures required to be removed over the next 7-10 years. Undeniably, there is an enormous amount of work to be done, and there are few available heavy-lift assets to perform the work. IOS intends to fill the void with its own derrick barge.
ICG is building a 726-metric-ton (800-short-ton) derrick barge,IOS 800, scheduled for delivery by April 2007. The 91 m x 30 m (300 ft x 100 ft) vessel will conduct marine salvage, platform decommissioning, and installation services.
“The demand for heavy-lift work in the GoM is strong, and there is limited supply to perform this work,” says Steve Williams, IOS CEO. “As a result, companies are unable to comply with mandatory platform decommissioning requirements.”
IOS owns the ocean going tug,International Freedom.
TheIOS 800 will be fitted with a stern-mounted A-frame crane with lifting capacity of 726 metric tons (800 short tons) and bow lifting capacity of 236 metric tons (260 short tons) from two 118-metric-ton (130-short-ton) revolving cranes.
To complement its heavy-lift work, the company is also investing in two 53-m (175-ft) class liftboats. These vessels are expected to join the company’s active fleet in the first half of 2008.
Pipelay
In the pipelay segment, the company believes it will be competitively positioned by offering a dedicated installation barge in combination with its exclusive rights to Zap-Lok technology.
The company is in the final stages of the build-out of a 76-m (250-ft) pipelay barge,IOS Pipeliner. The vessel will conduct pipelay through a technology known as the Zap-Lok pipeline system. ICG has secured the exclusive right to lay Zap-Lok pipe within federal waters of the GoM, which according to IOS, gives it a competitive advantage.
Zap-Lok is technology that permits installation of pipelines in less than 60 seconds, one-half the time required by conventional installation, and eliminates the requirement for welding and x-raying individual pipe joints. This mechanical system can deliver pipes with an outside diameter of 60-324 mm (2 3/8-12 3⁄4 in.)
According to Zap-Lok, it can reduce the cost of offshore pipeline construction by 45% to 60%.
To round out its portfolio of construction assets, ICG recently acquired theInternational Frontier, a 122 m x 30 m (400 ft x 100 ft) well intervention and construction barge.
IOS recently added the well intervention/construction barge,International Frontier, to its fleet.
The barge is fitted with accommodation for 84 people, three moonpools, the largest of which is 6 m (19 ft) in diameter, and an eight-point mooring system.
“TheInternational Frontier is another flagship piece of equipment for our company,” Williams says. “We are very excited about the opportunities ahead of us and greatly look forward to offering our platform of services to the marketplace.”
