New multi-purpose support vessel
Ocean Services' new 280 ft vessel Global Explorer.
Ocean Services LLC has launched the Global Explorer, a 280-ft DP-2 multi-purpose support vessel that is fully classed to ABS standards. The vessel is suitable for tasks ranging from power and fiber-optic cable recovery/lay and burial between platforms to light subsea construction and surveying. The Global Explorer's design features include a reinforced removable shelter deck capable of supporting ROV or dive equipment/operations. A moonpool can be added if desired. The new vessel has three large holds totaling 68,655 sq ft that can be used for pipelay and coiled tubing lay operations. Vessel accommodations can be expanded to support up to 100 people.
Upgrades and repairs for Pan Producer
Crest Petroleum Bhd subsidiary Sasaran Perdana Sdn Bhd has awarded First Wave/Newpark Shipbuilding a contract for dry-docking, repair, and refurbishment of the Pan Producer. When the work is complete, the semisubmersible tender assisted platform drilling rig will be renamed the Teknik Hidayat.
Upgrade work will be done at First Wave's Pelican Island facility in Galveston, Texas, and is expected to continue into 4Q 2002.
Halter Marine builds government vessels
Halter Marine Inc. has begun construction of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's newest vessel, the M/V Oscar Dyson. The research vessel, which will house multiple laboratories, is scheduled for completion in June 2005
Early in 3Q 2002, the company laid the keel for a new enhanced logistic support vessel (ELSV) for the US Army's Tank and Automotive Command. The completed vessel will be 314 ft long with a 60-ft beam and an overall depth of 19 ft.
Prior to the new ELSV, Halter built six logistic support vessels, six large tugs, and 35 LCU-2000 class landing craft utilities.
New multi-purpose vessel to serve Troll
Norsk Hydro Produksjon AS awarded Havila Supply ASA a 10-year contract for multi-field standby at Troll-Oseberg. To fulfill the contract, Havila will build a UT 527 type vessel based on a new type of advanced multi-purpose design for rescue and recovery duties. In addition to large operational flexibility, the vessel will be one of the most environmentally friendly vessels on the market, the company says.
The Havila Runde, a production service vessel built in 1997, will undergo a limited conversion to help fulfill this contract.
Next generation liftboat for Montco Offshore
Bollinger Shipyards Inc. has delivered the L/B Myrtle to Montco Offshore. The 137.5-ft liftboat is equipped with 245-ft legs and can work in water depths to 180 ft.
The L/B Myrtle is outfitted with a bow thruster and controllable pitch propellers that allow greater maneuverability and pinpoint positioning of legs on the ocean bottom. This extra equipment allows the boat to maintain jacking speed while holding a precise position.
The vessel's 40-ft by 16-ft pads, larger than on other liftboats, provide for greater bottom stability and heavier deck loads. The L/B Myrtle can jack with a full pre-load.
The hydraulic system incorporates a three-speed jacking system that allows leg tagging at 10 ft/min, normal jacking at 4 ft/min, and pre-load jacking at 2 ft/min. The jacking system has counterbalance valves at each motor for pinion isolation. All jacking system pressures, system status, temperatures, alarms, and operation manual are displayed on a touch screen.
The vessel carries three Nautilus cranes with 150-, 50-, and 25-ton capacities in a configuration that places the smaller crane on the starboard stern so that support vessels can tie up to the liftboat and offload personnel, cargo, or fluids without hindering work being done by the liftboat. The 150-ton crane with 110-ft boom is equipped with VHF radio, a load indicator, and a boom-mounted video camera to assist when load hook-ups are out of the normal view of the operator.
Bollinger's next-generation liftboat, L/B Myrtle.
The boat is 137.5-ft long, with a 92-ft beam and a hull depth of 13-ft.
Floater bids sought for Natuna Sea project
Conoco is beginning a bidding process for an LPG FSO for the Belanik field in the South Natuna Sea. The company expects to award a contract in mid 2003.
Last August, PT Brown and Root Indonesia received a contract for a newbuild FPSO to work on the same field. The FPSO is intended to act as a hub to export gas from at least six fields. The FPSO, LPG FSO, and two wellhead platforms and associated pipelines are part of the development program.
Work on the FPSO, wellhead platforms, and pipelines is underway. McDermott is building the topsides and wellhead platforms, and Dalian New Shipyard, China, is building the FPSO hull.
First oil from the field is scheduled for November 2004, with initial output expected at 30,000-40,000 b/d of oil. At start-up, gas will be reinjected. It will be produced later to meet gas contract demands. Production is expected to peak at 75,000 b/d, with gas export leveling off at 350-400 MMcf/d.
