Ostensjo picks Rolls-Royce design for wind farm vessel

The vessel will service a five year contract from DONG Energy that will see it act as a mother ship for wind turbine technicians as they perform maintenance work on Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm in the U.K. The contract will commence September 1, 2017 and includes an option for a five year extension

“This contract enables us to expand our business into the renewable energy sector,” says Østensjø Rederi CEO Johan Rokstad. “It has been the strategy of Østensjø Rederi to diversify our operations. Thus, we are pleased that DONG Energy has awarded us this exciting opportunity in a sector we believe will have further demands for similar vessels in the near future.”

The vessel is the twelfth ordered from Astilleros Gondan by Østensjø Rederi. It will be designed and equipped by Rolls-Royce and will be the first to be built to a new UT 540 WP ship design from Rolls-Royce developed specifically to support operations in shallow waters at offshore wind farms.

SOV 700

“We have worked closely with Rolls-Royce to develop a design we believe will be well suited to servicing the specific operational demands of supporting offshore wind farms,” says Mr. Rokstad. “We look forward to continuing this good cooperation in carrying the project through to completion.”

The ship is designed with a high focus on seakeeping capabilities, excellent station keeping performance, improved comfort and safety on board, and reduced fuel consumption.

As well as designing the vessel, Rolls-Royce will supply the diesel electric main machinery, consisting of frequency controlled electric driven azimuth thrusters, super silent mounted transverse thrusters, DP2 dynamic positioning system, power electrical system, deck machinery, and the latest generation Acon automation and control system.

Helge Gjerde, Rolls-Royce, President Commercial – Marine, said, “We are delighted that Østensjø Rederi and DONG Energy have chosen the new Rolls-Royce UT 540 WP design against intense competition. As more wind farms are built further from shore and in more demanding conditions we see opportunities to use our extensive offshore experience to diversify into an exciting new market.”

The new build is a DP2 Service Operation Vessel with high station keeping capacities. 60 single cabins of high standard can accommodate up to 40 wind turbine technicians in addition to a marine crew of 20. A motion compensated gangway system with an adjustable pedestal will be installed to ensure safe operations and optimal uptime. Special areas and functions of the vessel are made in accordance with the charterer`s requirements. The 81.0 m long vessel, with a beam of 17.0 m, will work out of Grimsby, U.K.

“The Service Operating Vessel will be an important step to ensure safe and efficient operation of wind farms far from shore, starting with Race Bank windfarm, and we are convinced that DONG Energy will benefit from Østensjø Rederi’s long experience in conducting safe operations in an offshore environment,” says Jens Jakobsson, Senior Vice President for Wind Power Operations in DONG Energy

Heavy well intervention vessel punches above its weight

OCTOBER 14, 2015 — Ulstein Design and Solutions BV and German deep drilling systems specialist Herrenknecht Vertical GmbH are using this week’s Offshore Energy 2015 exhibition in Amsterdam to present a future

Ulstein offers Capex-friendly shallow water work horse

It says the main driver for the new 115.4 m x 30.8 m S182 design was to develop a “very CAPEX friendly” DP vessel with good capabilities to support various offshore operations, including cable lay and offshore construction.

The result is described as “a very versatile workhorse” that is capable of shallow water DP operations (at 4.5m draft) including beaching.

The design features a large open work deck that can accommodate up to 30 m ø carousel, a large cargo hold below deck and approximately 10,000 DWT capacity. A main offshore crane of up to 400 t can be located in the side of the vessel, while a passage way below main deck between the aft casings and accommodations avoids people having to cross the open work deck.

The vessel is capable of supporting a wide variety of operations:

Main particulars are:

Loa                             115.4 m           

Beam (molded)              30.8 m          

Depth                             8.4 m          

Draft (operational)           5.0 m

Deadweight             about 10,000 t

Speed                                 9 knots

Installed power             2 x 2,880 kW                                  

                                   2 x 1,920 kW

Positioning                   DP2                                  

                                  4-point mooring

Deck strength              15 t/ m2

Deck space                  2,000 m2

Cargo hold                      850 m2

Complement                    140 p (2 p cabins)                                        

                                       240 p (4 p cabins)

Petrofacs cancels shipyard contract for derrick lay vessel

OCTOBER 12, 2015 — U.K. based Petrofac (LON: PFC) says it has terminated its contract with Chinese shipbuilder ZPMC for construction of a proprietary design Petrofac JSD 6000 deepwater multi-purpose offshore vessel.

Report projects OSV demand will grow 75% by end of 2020

That’s heartening news for Offshore Support Vessel (OSV) operators such as Tidewater, Edison Chouest, Bourbon, Hornbeck Offshore, Seabulk and Maersk, which are dealing with the current challenging offshore oil and gas market. In a presentation at the recent Johnson Rice 2015 Energy Conference, Tidewater reported it had 38 vessels stacked as of the end of June. It has also announed plans to scrap 11 older vessels.

In its most recent monthly report, Baker Hughes reported that there were 29 drilling rigs operating in the Gulf of Mexico, down from 59 a year ago.

 Mordor Intelligence’s report, the Global Offshore Support Vessel Market, focuses on the market sectors by vessel type, including Anchor Handling Tug/Anchor Handling Towing Supply Vessels (AHT/AHTSs), Multi-Purpose/Multi-Role Supply Vessels (MPSV), Platform Supply Vessels, Construction Support Vessel (CSV), Specialty Vessels and others. It also breaks down activity by region: North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific (APAC), South America and Middle-East & Africa (MEA). The report analyzes and projects the market share of each region for the next 5 years.

Most promising regions for OSV market are the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, West Africa, the North Sea, South East Asia, the Middle East and Asia. Mordor Intelligence estimates that major part of the demand will be for AHTS, PSVs, and seismic research vessels.

As oil and gas explorations move towards deeper waters, explains Mordor Intelligence, multi-functional offshore support vessels are now called upon to perform different tasks, and have created various niches or categories within the market. Present day offshore support vessels are equipped with increased cargo capacity, panoramic navigation bridge visibility, large accommodation spaces, enhanced crew amenities and state-of-the-art propulsion and automation systems.

According to Mordor Intelligence, AHTS vessels comprise a 56% of the market share, followed by Platform Support Vessels. Inspection, Maintenance and Repair (IMR) Vessels are generally equipped with large accommodation spaces, heavy lift cranes, helidecks and streamlined bow forms for operation in harsh environments. Vessels specialized for multi-tasking carry out maintenance and repair operations on platform facilities, as well as subsea pipelines and equipment.

 

DOJ reaches settlement with BP in Deepwater Horizon spill

OCTOBER 6, 2015—In what is the largest settlement with a single entity in U.S. history, U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch announced that the Department of Justice had secured a settlement of

Rotterdam could get LNG Hybrid Barge

A floating energy plant, the LNG Hybrid Barge is designed to provide ships in port with clean power—an alternative to providing ship’s power by plugging into the city grid or producing electricity via generator sets or main engines. During winter season the LNG Hybrid Barge will be able to deliver heat to factories or to the central city heating system in addition to electricity.

BMS is the owner of the LNG Hybrid Barge and provides services to charter out the barge.  BMS Managing Director Dirk Lehmann, says, “The LNG Hybrid Barge is the first flexible solution supplying clean LNG energy to cruise ships during summer season and providing the flexibility of generating electric energy and heat into a public grid system or industrial users during winter season. We see this advanced flexible solution as an opportunity for Rotterdam and other international ports.”

Primarily the LNG Hybrid Barge will support cruise ships moored in Rotterdam, traditionally key clients of KOTUG. KOTUG will move the LNG Hybrid Barge and will provide commercial, technical and operational management of the LNG Hybrid Barge.

KOTUG CEO Ard-Jan Kooren, says, “As a leading towage company and with our strong focus on innovative technical and environmental solutions, we strive for reducing our environmental footprint and encouraging our suppliers, clients, business partners and stakeholders to reduce their environmental impact. We are proud to be working with innovative partners like Becker Marine Systems and we look forward to making together a significant step in supporting our clients in a greener, safer and more efficient operation.”

This new, innovative concept and unique cooperation has also drawn significant attention from key players in the LNG market, like Cruiseport Rotterdam, Dutch National LNG Platform and Shell. Arjan Stavast, Shell’s Downstream LNG Business Development Manager for Europe says, “We see the LNG Hybrid Barge as a unique solution for the maritime industry. We will follow these developments closely as we do believe that the delivery of electricity through LNG is possible for (cruise) ships, factories and cities, while not having to invest heavily in additional electricity infrastructure.”

“We are delighted to learn about this initiative and are looking forward to welcome the LNG Hybrid Barge in Rotterdam,” says Mai Elmar, Executive Director of Cruise Port Rotterdam.

Gerrit van Tongeren, Chairman of the Dutch National LNG Platform, says the initiative “is another great and unique example of how (in their respective fields) leading maritime companies can work together in the entire LNG chain and together strive to get LNG introduced in the market and contribute to a cleaner and greener environment. We therefore follow and support this initiative and wish all parties good luck in achieving the objectives.”

 

Freeport McMoran discovers oil in Deepwater GOM

SEPTEMBER 29, 2015—Publicly traded Freeport-McMoRan reported that it discovered oil from its Horn Mountain Deep well in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Initial production from the well, which will be tied back to

HOS gets $26.6 million mod to Navy blocking boat contract

The contract includes a 215-day base period, nine one-year option periods and one 150-day option period. The cumulative value of this contract when option one is exercised will be $44,159,520. Work will be performed at sea worldwide, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2016.

Subject to availability, fiscal 2016 operations and maintenance contract funds in the amount of $26,615,520 are being obligated at the time of award, and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

This contract was issued on an other than full and open competition basis in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation, Sec 6.303.

Military Sealift Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.

Since their construction by Leevac Shipyards in 2008 and 2009, three 250EDF class OSVs, the HOS Arrowhead, the HOS Eagleview and the HOS Westwind have supported the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet on the east and west coast of the U.S. In order for the Navy to continue receiving the unique capabilities of these vessels, Congress subsequently required their purchase from HOS, which sold them to the Navy for $114 million. A fourth vessel, HOS Black Powder, remained on charter to the Navy, with an option for purchase that was expected to close September 30, 2015.

DOF Subsea books orders worth over $351 million

In the North America region, DOF Subsea has secured a major IMR contract with Husky Energy in support of its operations offshore Eastern Canada. The DOF Subsea team based in St. John’s will supply IMR services over aperiod of 10 years firm with 10 years options.

The work scope includes a Light Intervention Vessel and two work class ROV systems and personnel. The offshore operations will commence in 4th quarter 2015 by mobilizing two work class ROVs on a third party vessel on charter to Husky, followed by delivery of a DOF IRM vessel in 2017.

DOF Subsea says the contract is of strategic importance, substantially strengthening its presence in the Canadian offshore market and establishing a solid relationship with Husky Energy.

Another North America region award is a term contract in the Gulf of Mexico for a firm period of 10 months with option to extend.Operations will commence in October 2015.

One of the group’s subsea vessels will be utilized under the contract, which is an extension of a current contract held by DOF Subsea North America for a key client in the region.

In the Asia Pacific region, several contract awards in recent weeks with key clients will secure utilization of the region’s vessels. The scope of work includes IMR services, mooring and light construction. With these recent awards, close to full utilization of the region’s foue vessels for the reminder of the year is secured, as well as a good visibility for 2016.

DOF ASA CEO Mons S. Aase commented: “I am very pleased with the Group’s ability to secure term work in a challenging market, and especially winning the Husky contract and strengthening the North America subsea region. This award is a team effort, utilizing the expertise within all disciplines in the DOF Group.”

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