IHC Merwede launches first of five pipelayers

SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 — IHC Merwede has successfully named and launched the pipelaying vessel Sapura Diamante in a ceremony at its shipyard in Krimpen aan den IJssel, The Netherlands.

The naming was carried out by Mrs Christina Lucia Duarte Pinho, the Executive Manager of Petrobras E&P Service.

The 550 t pipelaying vessel – ordered by Sapura Navegação Marítima, a joint venture between SapuraKencana and Seadrill – is the first in a series of five fully integrated offshore vessels that will be completely designed, engineered and built by IHC Merwede.

After delivery, the Sapura Diamante will be used to develop deep sea oilfields at depths of up to 2,500 m in Brazilian waters on behalf of Petrobras.

The Sapura Diamante will be equipped with a pipelaying spread that is being designed by IHC Engineering Business. It includes two below-deck storage carousels, with capacities for 2,500 t and 1,500 t of product respectively. A vertical (tiltable) lay system – with a 550 t top tension capacity – will be permanently installed for the deployment of a range of flexible products, varying from a diameter of 100 to 630 mm.

The pipelaying spread is being built at IHC Merwede’s facility in Sliedrecht, The Netherlands.

In addition, IHC Drives & Automation delivered the integrated automation system, the full electrical installation and the complete electrical machinery package.

“In a relatively short period of time, we have built a wonderful partnership with Sapura Navegação Marítima,” says Arjan Klijnsoon, Managing Director of IHC Merwede’s Offshore division. “The launch of the first of five vessels that we are building for this customer is a milestone in our history. Once again, we have proved to be a reliable partner for such complex projects, with the build of all of the equipment and the vessel itself on schedule. In addition, the second vessel – the Sapura Topázio – is also well underway and going according to plan.”

“Sapura is pleased to be working with IHC Merwede on the build of this series of sophisticated flexible pipelaying vessels,” says Mark Allpress, Project Manager of SapuraKencana. “IHC Merwede has shown that it can bring together all of the expertise and equipment from its internal companies in The Netherlands and UK, as well as the many local subcontractors, to build high-quality vessels in accordance with the contract schedule. Sapura trusts that the current level of performance on the first two vessels will be maintained through to delivery of the last vessel.”

Sapura Diamante

Length overall 145.9 m
Breadth molded 29.9 m
Depth main deck 13 m
Draft (operational) 7.2 m
Draft (max) 8.3 m
Deadweight (operational) 7,025 t
Deadweight (max) 10,070 t
Accommodations 120 people