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Subsea 7’s next generation DSV, Seven Atlantic, Successfully completes first project
Subsea 7's new diving support vessel (DSV), the ‘Seven Atlantic’, one of the largest and most capable DSVs in the world, has completed her first diving project for Shell in the Southern sector of the UK North Sea.
The Seven Atlantic has been working in the Southern sector for Shell as well as completing various inspection tasks in the Dutch sector of the North Sea, since commencing work on the 26th of March 2010. The vessel has completed 80 saturation dives and 10 surface (air) dives as part of its first workscope.
The Seven Atlantic is being utilised to service the long-term underwater services contract Subsea 7 holds with Shell Entities, operating in Europe, for inspection, repair and maintenance programmes and for some of Shell’s capital projects and decommissioning works, across its offshore fields and facilities.
Steph McNeill, Vice President for Subsea 7’s UK region, commented:
“Everyone is very pleased with the Seven Atlantic’s performance so far. The vessel was built to have an exceptionally good sea keeping capability and has already successfully demonstrated this ability by holding station, landing helicopters and continuing to work in the extreme sea conditions experienced on her first project. She is built and equipped for at least 60 days at-sea endurance and she is demonstrating her ability and efficiencies to complete work faster than many comparable vessels.
We look forward to working with Shell, and our other clients who will utilise this vessel, in the safe and timely delivery of the various work scopes this vessel will undertake over the next few years.”
Another of the company’s new additions to its fleet, the Normand Subsea remotely operated vehicle support vessel (ROVSV), went into service for Shell at the end of 2009.
Investment in the new vessels is part of an ongoing capital investment programme of over US $1bn in new assets and equipment which has seen seven vessels join the existing fleet since 2006. The eighth, the Seven Pacific pipelay and construction vessel, is expected to be delivered at the end of 2010.
The Seven Atlantic is a next generation dynamically positioned vessel specifically designed for saturation and air diving support work. The integrated saturation system has a capacity for 24 divers using a twin bell system, is built to NORSOK requirements and is configured for split level diving with advanced standards of comfort and safety for the divers. The vessel can accommodate up to 174 people (including divers). In addition, there is a twin work station integrated air-dive system for shallow diving which can also be conducted utilising Subsea 7’s MCA certified Seven Spray air-dive support craft, deployed from the Seven Atlantic.
Date 8th May 2010
NEW YEAR Brings new members for the NATIONAL SUBSEA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
The National Subsea Research Institute (NSRI) welcomes two new member companies, ensuring a positive start to the new year.
Kongsberg Maritime, which is headquartered in Aberdeen and Newcastle-based Wellstream International bring NSRI’s industry membership to 17 in less than a year since its launch.
A partnership between Subsea UK, the University of Aberdeen, Newcastle University, Robert Gordon University and the University of Dundee, NSRI’s aim is to develop and lead a coordinated research strategy for the subsea sector, developing and maintaining the UK’s position as a centre of excellence for subsea technology and skills.
The member companies assist with the prioritisation and development of research projects and form the NSRI’s Subsea Technology Advisory Group (STAG). This body, along with the university partners, Scottish Enterprise and the NSRI Board, determines the principal areas of research for the coming year.
Bill Edgar, NSRI chairman said: “We are delighted to welcome Kongsberg and Wellstream to NSRI and look forward to their input as we develop our programme of activities for the year. The UK has found itself at the forefront of the subsea sector and along with our partners and member companies we strive to consolidate and build on this position.
“We continually face new challenges and are now, commercially, in a very different market place, so our aim is to channel research and development, skills training and education so the subsea industry can achieve its strategic aims in a cost efficient, coordinated fashion.”
Dave Shand, general manager Offshore at Kongsberg Maritime Ltd said: “Kongsberg Maritime, together with its sister company Kongsberg Offshore Technology, firmly believes that innovation is the key to securing the subsea industry’s future. We work closely with various research organisations and key industry players around the world to develop new technologies and different ways of working. The NSRI's coordinated research strategy is one which we endorse and we look forward to working with their industry members and academic partners to make a positive contribution to the UK's leading position in the subsea sector.”
Alasdair MacDonald, acting CEO for Wellstream said: "This is a very exciting time for Wellstream relating to development of our technology. The subsea industry constantly demands product innovation as oil and gas companies seek to develop ever more remote and technically challenging reservoirs. For us to remain at the forefront of developing flexible pipe technology to meet these challenges, the support of NSRI is considered an excellent opportunity and we look forward to working with NSRI over the coming years."
NSRI plans to increase its membership to 20 throughout the year and will be announcing its latest research programme at Subsea 2010, on 10 – 11 February, in Aberdeen.
Date 15th January 2010
Keppel to deliver third ENSCO 8500 Series® ultra deepwater semisubmersible on time and within budget
Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS) is on track to deliver ENSCO 8502, the third of seven ENSCO 8500 Series® semisubmersible drilling rigs it has been contracted to build exclusively for Ensco International Incorporated (NYSE: ESV).
Today, the rig was named at Keppel FELS by Lady Sponsor, Mrs Cambria Reinsborough, wife of Mr Brian Reinsborough, President of Nexen Petroleum USA Inc, in the presence of Guest of Honour, Mr Heng Chee How, Singapore’s Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office.
Following her scheduled delivery, mobilisation and final outfitting, ENSCO 8502 will commence operations in the US Gulf of Mexico under a two-year contract with Nexen Petroleum U.S.A. Inc. during the second quarter of 2010.
Mr Daniel Rabun, Chairman, President & CEO of Ensco, said, “We are very pleased with Keppel FELS’s construction of the ENSCO 8500 Series® ultra-deepwater rigs.
“We have already invested more than half of the US$3 billion committed to the ENSCO 8500 Series® newbuild programme, and we are well on our way toward having the world’s largest fleet of ultra-deepwater semisubmersibles capable of drilling in water depths of 7,500 feet or deeper.
“When ENSCO 8502 is delivered early next year, we will have four ultra-deepwater semisubmersibles in our active fleet to complement our premium jackups around the globe.”
Mr Tong Chong Heong, CEO of Keppel FELS, said, “The Keppel and Ensco win-win partnership has flourished with solid trust and teamwork developed over two decades of collaboration.
“As a result of our accumulated experience and in-depth understanding of the ENSCO 8500 Series®, we have managed to improve construction lead time by 1.1 million manhours for ENSCO 8502, as compared to the first rig in this Series. This represents a 15% boost in efficiency.
“For the next four ENSCO 8500 Series® rigs, we are confident of timely deliveries as we support Ensco in launching a state-of-the-art fleet of quality, high performance ultra deepwater rigs.”
Keppel Offshore & Marine Group, through its global network of yards delivering on its ‘Near Market, Near Customer’ strategy, constructed ten of Ensco’s world-class jackups, which form a substantial part of the rig owner’s premium fleet of 42-jackups.
When the ENSCO 8500 Series® is completed, Keppel-built rigs will make up 30% of the leading driller’s premium fleet. Construction of the next four rigs remains on schedule with expected deliveries extending from the fourth quarter of 2010 into 2012.
Date 7th December 2009
Subsea 7's new state-of-the-art vessel commences first project
Subsea 7's new state-of-the-art remotely operated vehicle support vessel (ROVSV), the ‘Normand Subsea’, has commenced her first project for Shell in the Ormen Lange field in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.
The life of field vessel will be utilised exclusively to service the long-term underwater services contract Subsea 7 holds with Shell Entities, operating in Europe, for inspection, repair and maintenance programmes and for some of Shell’s capital projects and decommissioning works, across its offshore fields and facilities. The Normand Subsea’s first workscope at Ormen Lange includes template and pipeline inspections and ship wreck surveys.
Investment in the Normand Subsea is part of an ongoing capital investment programme of over US $1bn in new assets and equipment which will see eight new vessels joining the existing Subsea 7 fleet between 2006 and 2010.
Steph McNeill, Vice President for Subsea 7’s UK region, stated:
"The Normand Subsea is a fantastic enhancement to one of the most modern, technologically advanced and capable fleets of subsea construction, pipelay and support vessels in the world. Our significant investment programme demonstrates our commitment to delivering best in class services for our clients, investing for the long-term and becoming the Subsea Partner of Choice in our sector. We look forward to working with Shell in the safe and timely delivery of the various work scopes this vessel will be undertaking for them over the next few years."
The vessel, which is on long-term charter from Solstad Offshore, has a unique combination of capabilities that include: a fully enclosed hangar; built in 35t module handling system (upgradeable to 65t); 150t heave compensated crane; an extensive spread of two work class ROVs and four observation class ROVs all equipped for 1200metre depths; a hull with five moonpools; a well treatment system and an extensive online and offline survey suite. It also has on-board facilities for a ship’s complement of 90 people.
The Shell Underwater Services Contract is the continuation of an ongoing long-term relationship between Subsea 7 and Shell which commenced in 1984 with one of Subsea 7’s predecessor companies.
Date 25th November 2009
Keppel to build Vietnam’s first semi-submersible drilling tender for about US$200 million.
The formal contract for the rig is expected to be finalised shortly in December 2009. Targeted for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2011, this tender assist rig will be built to Keppel’s award-winning KFELS SSDT 3600E design.
Mr Tong Chong Heong, CEO of Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M), parent company of Keppel FELS, said, “We are pleased that PV Drilling has chosen to reinforce our strong partnership with a contract to build a landmark rig for them.
“They have made the right choice in selecting the KFELS SSDT 3600E, which has a proven track record for operational performance and Health, Safety and Environment. We are confident that this rig will perform to their highest satisfaction, and look forward to deliver her on time, within budget and without incidents.”
Developed by Keppel O&M’s Deepwater Technology Group (DTG), the KFELS SSDT 3600E design has revolutionised the way in which drilling tenders work, allowing them to be deployed next to deepwater floating platforms for the first time. This groundbreaking series, with their enhanced capabilities, can operate and maintain station keeping in deep waters of up to 5,000 ft alongside Spars and Tension Leg Platforms.
Date 22nd Novembr 2009
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