Solstad Offshore AHTS to head for Australia
Written by Nick BlenkeySkudeneshavn, Norway, headquartered Solstad Offshore ASA reports that its large AHTS Normand Ranger has been awarded a contract in Australia for commencement in second quarter 2021.
The vessel will mobilize from Norway and will then provide support to a major drilling campaign offshore North Western Australia, securing about one year of utilization for the vessel.
Built by the Ulstein shipyard in 2010, the Normand Ranger is a 91-meter, VS 490 design DP2 AHTS with a 280 tonnes bollard pull and accommodations for 45 people.
During the drilling campaign, that also includes support from the Solstad AHTSs Normand Saracen and Far Senator, the Normand Ranger will operate in connection with a moored semi-submersible drilling rig, with the base port being Dampier.
In addition, the Solstad PSV Far Seeker, has been awarded a contract by Santos Ltd. The vessel will support drilling activities offshore Timor Leste, operating predominantly from Darwin. The firm contractual period is approximately six months, with further options available to Santos, and is scheduled for commencement in April 2021.
The arrival of the Normand Ranger supplements Solstad’s existing fleet of four large AHTS and five PSVs operating within Australia and New Zealand, managed from Solstad’s Perth office.