Keppel Offshore to build Incat Crowther dive support vessel

DECEMBER 27, 2012—Subsidiaries of Singapore’s Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd were recently awarded three new contracts—worth a combined value of S$420 million ($343.5 million)—to boost the value of the group’s total orders for 2012 to S$9.9 billion ($8.1 billion).

Keppel O&M CEO Tong Chong Heong says, “With the strong confidence and support of new and repeat customers, Keppel O&M continues to be the provider of choice for a broad range of offshore and marine projects.” 

Adds Tong, “2013 will be a busy year for us as we continue to focus on the quality execution of all our projects – we are committed to ensure that they are delivered safely, promptly and to high customer satisfaction. We will also enhance our capabilities, and so extend our range of value-added services.”

Keppel Singmarine Pte Ltd secured two of the three new contracts, with the third new contract won by Keppel Shipyard Ltd.

One of Keppel Singmarine’s two new contracts is from Hydro Marine Services, Inc., a subsidiary of McDermott International, Inc, for the construction of a high-specification deepwater pipelay (S-Lay) vessel.

Developed by Keppel’s Marine Technology Development, this vessel is designed to support advanced pipelay operations, in which pipelines are installed to depths of up to 10,000 feet. It is also capable of achieving efficient pipelay rates for long trunklines, operating in severe weather conditions, and providing significant thrust output and power distribution.

Work on the pipelay vessel will begin in first quarter of 2013 and is expected to be completed in two and a half years.

INCAT CROWTHER DESIGNED DIVE BOAT
Keppel Singmarine’s other new contract is from Australia-based Bhagwan Marine Pty Ltd to build a catamaran air dive support vessel.

The 56m dive support vessel, computer rendering shown above, is designed by Australia’s Incat Crowther. The Dive Support Vessel (DSV) will be operated by dive specialists Neptune Marine Services.

Incat Crowther worked in collaboration with Bhagwan Marine and Neptune Marine Services to develop a first of type, fully-integrated catamaran dive support vessel. The vessel has been designed from the keel up to perform six key roles; Dive Support, Geophysical Survey, Geotechnical Survey, Cargo Transport, Hyperbaric Rescue and Safety Standby. With such a varied array of operational roles, unique solutions were required not only in the allocation of spaces, but also with the specification of a flexible, high-redundancy propulsion system.

The result is an advanced propulsion and powering package that will integrate a pair of Schottel STP 550 azimuthing drives. She will be fitted with four generator sets made up of two Cummins QSK38-M’s and two QSK19-M’s. An advanced power management system will make optimal use of the four generators and a battery bank to ensure each power source is used in the most effective way. The battery bank, supplied by Corvus Energy, will store enough power to propel the ship for short periods. The vessel will have a top speed of 13.5 knots. The QSK-38-M generator sets are also directly coupled to fire pumps, which drive full immersion fire monitors whilst a separate pump will power a complete deluge system.

The Schottel drives combine with a pair of drop-down azimuthing bow thrusters and a Kongsberg control system to give the vessel DPS-2 maneuverability. The innovative system lends itself to the shallow draft dive operations the vessel will specialize in, as the forward azimuthing thrusters are able to maintain operation as tunnel thrusters when retracted. Further positioning capability is provided by a HIPAP 501 acoustic positioning system, which allows the vessel to maintain station relative to undersea reference points.

In addition, the vessel will be fitted with a 100-tonne, four-point mooring system featuring four deck winches and diagonally-oriented fairleads on all four corners of the vessel.

Unlike any other vessel of its size and type, this vessel will have all dive equipment designed and built in from the outset. A dedicated dive control room will be fitted with a pair of decompression chambers, with a hull compartment directly below dedicated to support equipment such as compressors and dive gas storage tanks. A pair of diver launch and recovery systems is to be fitted to starboard side, whilst a separate launch and recovery system is to be fitted to port for ROV operations. The vessel will also have the capacity to launch, retrieve and store a hyperbaric lifeboat.

The aft main deck’s 160m2 of cargo space is supplemented by a multitude of purpose-fitted deck equipment, including launch and recovery systems, tow pins, waterfall winches, stern roller, A-Frame and container securing lugs.

Accommodation cabins for a complement of 44 are situated in the hull and the mid deck. The hull also houses laundry facilities and a gymnasium. The mid-deck features an aft-facing survey room, which is linked to the wheelhouse by wireways, allowing operational flexibility.

The wheelhouse features complete all-round visibility, including aft-facing DP control stations.

The main deck of the vessel will house service spaces including an ROV control room and three workshops; as well as crew spaces such as a change room, cinema, dining mess and lounges and a commercial standard galley adjacent to dry and cold food storage spaces.

When completed in the first quarter of 2014, the DSV will be deployed in the northwest of Western Australia to support the operations of Apache Energy Ltd. Designed by Incat Crowther Pty. Ltd, the DSV is a catamaran.

FPSO UPGRADE
Keppel Shipyard’s new contract is from EMAS Offshore Construction and Production Pte Ltd (EMAS Offshore) to modify and upgrade an existing Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility, Lewek Arunothai. The yard’s workscope includes the installation of new structures, piping systems and deck crane, refurbishment of the living quarters as well as the fabrication and installation of the rigid arm and external turret mooring systems.

When completed in 2Q 2013, the FPSO will be deployed as an Early Production System in the Kamelia field, which is located in the Malaysia/Thailand Joint Development Area (JDA) in the North Malay Basin. The upgraded FPSO will be capable of handling 100 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) of gas, 1000 barrels per day (bpd) of condensates and 500bpd of water.