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
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)
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.
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.
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
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.”
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
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.
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.”
Developed for crane operations and light subsea construction with intervention duties, the 98.1m x 20 m vessels will be of Vard 3 08 design by Vard Design in Ålesund, Norway.
They will be delivered from Vard’s Brattvaag shipyard in Norway in 3Q 2017 and 4Q 2017 respectively. The hulls will be constructed at the Vard Tulcea shipyard in Romania.
The DP2 class vessels will have a 120-ton active heave compensated offshore crane with the capability to reach working depths of 3,000 m.
Subsea equipment can be lowered down onto the seabed through a 7.2 m x 7.2 m moonpool or over the side of the ship.
Both vessels will be prepared for two Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs), deployed via Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS) in the ship’s side.
The vessels will be built according to the latest Special Purpose Ship (SPS) regulations, and can accommodate up to 82 persons in high standard cabins.
“We are honored to receive these contracts from our new customer in Dubai, and are pleased to welcome the company into Vard’s client portfolio,” said Vard CEO and Executive Director Roy Reite. “We look forward to developing these new vessels closely with the Topaz team.”