Jurong Shipyard to build two ultra deepwater semis
SembCorp Marine subsidiary Jurong Shipyard secured an EPC contract to build two ultra deepwater semisubmersibles for Seatankers Management Co. Ltd. in late 3Q.
Under the contract, Jurong Shipyard will build the 6th generation ultra deepwater semis based on a Friede & Goldman design. The F&G designed semisubmersible rig is capable of operating in challenging deepwater areas, in the Gulf of Mexico, offshore Brazil, and West Africa.
The semis will operate in DP mode in water depths to 10,000 ft. The rigs are engineered for stability and versatility with operational displacement of 43,400 metric tons at 17 m draft and 46,750 metric tons at 20 m draft. The rigs have 18,000 sq ft of usable deck space and more than 7,000 metric tons of variable deck load.
Construction of the first semi is underway, with delivery scheduled for 1Q 2008.
The second rig, on a three-month option, takes effect in October 2005, with delivery scheduled in the first half of 2009.
Newbuild for Subsea 7
SIEM subsidiary Subsea 7 has signed a contract for a newbuild rigid pipelay and construction vessel. The decision to build was reached following SIEM’s board of directors’ assessment of the medium- to long-term market for rigid pipelay and subsea construction. The board expects the overall demand to grow and that the development in the deeper waters will constitute a significant portion of that growth, particularly in West Africa and Brazil, the company says.
The vessel, which is 157 m long and 28.4 m wide, will have a top tension capability initially of 300 tonnes, upgradeable to around 400 tonnes. It will have a storage capacity of 3,500 tonnes of steel pipe on the main reel. The vessel will also have a 400-tonne deepwater crane, a built-in deepwater ROV spread, and a comprehensive survey system. It will also have the ability to install flexible flowlines and umbilicals. The completed ship is expected to be delivered in 2Q 2007.
The newbuild vessel is much larger than Subsea 7’s existing pipelay vessel, theSkandi Navica, and will have almost 50% more carrying capacity and double the top tension capability, the company says.
SIEM intends to finance the new vessel through a combination of debt, existing liquidity and cash flow from operations.
Ulstein Verft launches new design
France’s Bourbon subsidiary Bourbon Offshore Norway signed a contract with Ulstein Verft for two platform supply vessels. The two Ulstein PX105 PSVs will be the first in the world with the Ulstein X-bow. Earlier this year, the ship owner contracted the first anchor-handling vessel with this type of bow.
The low angles of entry, a converted bow, and a hull that is drawn right up to the wheelhouse mean that there is no slamming or spraying on deck, the company says.
The Ulstein X-Bow allows a vessel to operate when weather conditions force other vessels to stay in port.
“Seaworthiness with the Ulstein X-bow is so good that a vessel could be in operation even when the weather means other vessels have to stay in port,” Trond Myklebust, Bourbon Offshore Norway’s managing director, says.
Ulstein Verft has a busy delivery schedule, with deliveries of new vessels scheduled every second or third month. The two Ulstein PX105s will be delivered in October 2006 and February 2007.
Jackup contracts
Rowan Companies Inc. subsidiary LeTourneau Inc. won a contract to furnish vessel design and components (a LeTourneau kit) for the construction of two Super 116 Class jackup drilling rigs.
Keppel AmFELS will build the rigs for Scorpion Offshore.
The LeTourneau kits, which comprise the rig’s legs, jacking systems, cranes, and certain other components, will be delivered in stages in accordance with the construction schedules.
Rowan expects the contract to provide $55 million in revenue during 2006 and 2007.
New pipelay vessel in the works
Swiss-based Allseas Group has announced that it will build a new DP pipelay ship. The vessel, to be namedAudacia, will be 225 m long and will be suited for installation of pipelines up to a diameter of 44 in. including coating. TheAudaciais intended for operation in all water depths. The vessel is planned for delivery next summer.•
Noble Drilling awarded QCI Marine Offshore LLC extensive quarters renovation and equipment replacement contracts for theNoble Paul Wolff and Noble Lester Pettus semisubmersible drilling rigs.
TheNoble Lester Pettus will be renovated in Pascagoula, Mississippi, while the Noble Paul Wolff is undergoing upgrades in Brazil.
