HIGH WAVES: History of the offshore liftboat
Self-elevating service vessels have been a part of the offshore scene since 1955. Shown is the Sal Duhe (Photo courtesy of Elevating Boats, Inc.). The Jehu, one of Elevating Boat's earliest vessels, was constructed for $22,000. The vessel was designed to move seismographic operations out of the wave zone. The Gulf Driller elevating boat was purpose built for seismographic operations, as were most such vessels at the time. Only later were they used to support platform and drilling operations.
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Glomar Explorer being prepared for well in 8,000 ft depths
The Glomar Explorer, shrugging off early shakedown problems, sets its sights on a well in 8,000-ft water depths. The Glomar Explorer wasted little time in establishing itself as the world's premiere ultra-deepwater drillship. Overcoming a variety of delays, and malfunctions, the vessel set a new water depth record late last year and with time and experience under its belt, it soon may attempt to beat this record by drilling in over 8,000 ft of water.
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The liftboat industry - before and after regulations
Once considered the proverbial stepchild of the offshore industry, the liftboat - the most versatile craft operating in the Gulf of Mexico - is taking on an ever-expanding international image. For many years, liftboats have been viewed as a unique Gulf of Mexico solution. Today - thanks in no small part to an oil business that's becoming more flexible by the year, and more willing to share tasks, risks, and technology - this perception, together with a lot of other traditional notions about
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New drilling barges, liftboats to rehabilitate Lake Maracaibo fields
The Prisa 101, 102, and 103 newbuild multi-service drilling barges will go to work early next year on a 10-year contract with PDVSA in Lake Maracaibo. [36,408 bytes] Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) has commissioned the construction of three new generation multiservice drilling barges and three powered liftboats to head up new drilling operations and a workover program on fields in Lake Maracaibo. The Prisa project consists of a 10-year
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Balder vessel upgrading for 6,500-ft deep King project
The SSCV Balder is shown lifting modules for Shell's Ursa tension leg platform. The lift vessel will be upgraded to work in water depths up to 10,000 ft. Dynamic positioning, along with more power and control, will be added to Heerema's Balder, shown here with the J-Lay system positioned between the two cranes. [22,354 bytes] We have all witnessed the deepwater explosion in the Gulf of Mexico over the past 4-5 years. Not many were prepared for the pace and the breadth of its impact,
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Dynamic positioning versus mooring: debate continues as technology evolves
An anchor handling vessel deploying a mooring spread. A DP thruster used on Transocean's Discoverer Enterprise. [32,057 bytes] If a producer or drilling contractor is planning to build or convert a deepwater mobile drilling vessel, why would it choose to limit the vessel's future operating water depth potential by using a mooring system instead of dynamic positioning? Traditionally, mooring has limited vessels to maximum operating depths of 5,000 ft, whereas dynamic positioning (DP)
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Newest rig features large pipe makeup- breakout area
The Sedco Express fifth-generation semisubmersible is designed to lower turnaround times, and thus save money [27,356 bytes]. The Sedco Express fifth-generation semisubmersible offers a package of innovations that may point the way for the next generation of deepwater newbuilds. Olle Lorehn, Sedco Forex international marketing manager for North America, said the innovation in these newbuilds is more a matter of applying existing technology in new ways.
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FSO to feature simultaneous offloading to two tankers
A floating storage and offloading vessel is being fabricated for installation in the Cantarell Field in the Mexico sector of the Gulf of Mexico. Three FMC business units - Sofec, Loading Systems, and Smith Meter - have combined capabilities and product lines to deliver the first permanently moored floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessel in the Gulf of Mexico.
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New vessels, rigs & upgrades
OSCA Challenger Glomar 456 Class drillship for delivery in the first quarter of 2000 [12,467 bytes] Maritime Tentech's FPDSO with the drilling system mounted above the turret [15,208 bytes]. OSCA has christened the world's newest dedicated well service vessel - the OSCA Challenger, designed by Edison Chouest. The Challenger is a 240 ft by 56 ft new generation, fit-for-purpose vessel designed to provide frac-packing, stimulation, and conventional sand control services.
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NEW VESSELS, RIGS & UPGRADES
The Virgo platform. [8,573 bytes] ENSCO 53 currently undergoing repairs. [9,725 bytes] Oceaneering's Ocean Intervention MSV.[8,642 bytes] Enercon Engineering has been awarded the detailed design and procurement assistance for Elf Exploration's Virgo production platform. The platform will be installed in 1,130 ft water depths on Viosca Knoll 823 in the Gulf of Mexico, making it the fourth deepest fixed platform in the world.
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NEW VESSELS, RIGS & UPGRADES
Ramform B380 FPSO destined for Conoco's Banff Field. [26,937 bytes] Geco-Prakla's SS2000 seismic vessel. [26,158 bytes] The Berge Hugin - to be converted to an FPSO. [17,297 bytes]
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Steeped in history, Glomar Explorer finally returns to industry
The Hughes Glomar Explorer - 1973 [56,343 bytes] The Glomar Explorer - 1998 [18,343 bytes] The Glomar Explorer under conversion at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, San Fransisco. [28,345 bytes] After a cost of $180 million and 26 years of hunting submarines for the US Navy, Global Marine is converting the controversial drilling vessel/heavy lift ship Glomar Explorer for work in the private sector.
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Seismic vessel footprint more relevant with 3-D
In the early days of marine 3D seismic acquisition, the capacity of the world's fleet was considered in terms of numbers of vessels, the same way as it was for 2D seismic. As vessels were upgraded to tow multiple streamers and new ones launched, the relationship between vessels and capacity became less meaningful, so the number of streamers towed was also considered.
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New installations, abandonment technologies, methods emerging
New technologies and heavy-lift methods are reducing costs offshore. PART II: This is the second of a two-part series on heavy-lift capacity, technology and contracting trends in the Gulf of Mexico. Part I appears on the pull-out section immediately preceding this article. A number of new technology products and services and contracting procedures are emerging for installation and removal of offshore facilities. These products, services, and procedures are providing alternatives to the
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Spar, deep draft installations easier with heavy lift vessels
Sensing a growing market for Spar-type installations, Saipem will send its S-7000 vessel back into the Gulf of Mexico. The vessel is shown here lifting 10,400 tons for BP's Andrew project. (Photo by Alex Lanard, courtesy of Saipem) [66,452 bytes] With the rapid increase of deepwater field development in the Gulf of Mexico, a number of vessels, originally developed for the North Sea market, are finding new applications in the South Atlantic. The applications go beyond the original design
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Multi-role drilling unit configured for long-term Gulf assignment
Deepwater drilling is also the main mode planned for Statoil's latest multipurpose shuttle tanker (MST). This 97,500dwt newbuild is currently under construction at Astilleros Españoles' Puerto Real yard near C diz. Its first job will be a five-year drilling contract from Shell Deepwater Development in the Gulf of Mexico, starting in 1999.
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Portable dynamic positioning systems fill special need
There are times and places offshore where only a dynamically positioned vessel will do. Conventional mooring systems can be inappropriate in shallow waters with heavy seabed infrastructure and in water depths beyond anchor limits. With activity on the rise in both heavily trafficked areas and increasing water depths, the need for vessels with DP capabilities is rising. Unfortunately, the costs to place such systems on existing equipment is often so high the converted vessel is priced out of
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US Gulf Pipeline Contractor Survey
1997 survey shows wide range of laying methods, equipment, joining, and burial techniques 1996 US Gulf Pipelay Footage by Contractor and Diameter [25,743 bytes] 1996 Total US Gulf Pipeline Footage Laid by Diameter [20,730 bytes] 1996 Total Footage Laid in the US Gulf by Contractor [19,472] As the ocean is ever-changing , so too is the list of offshore pipelay contractors operating and bidding on work in US Gulf of Mexico (GOM) waters. Pipelay contractor vessel capabilities are constantly being
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Deepwater surge galvanizes DP power sector
The top module of the Aquamaster USE 3001 thruster system for the upgraded DP pipelayer Hercules. D eepwater drilling successes in the Gulf of Mexico have triggered a spate of activity in the construction and conversion sector. New rigs, drillships and pipelay barges are being produced, equipped with dynamic positioning systems to counter the harsher environments of these deeper offshore plays.
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PLATFORM TRANSPORT Ballast system lessens wave effect on heavy-lift vessel loads
Dockwise's fleet of 11 heavy-lift vessels, which is regularly used by the offshore industry for the long-distance transport of modules and rigs, has grown with the acquisition of the four Swan Class vessels previously owned by SeaTeam. The move strengthens Dockwise's predominance in this sector. The company is itself the result of the 1993 merger of two of the leading players, Wijsmuller Transport and Dock Express Shipping.
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RUSSIA An LNG journey under the ice
Dev George Managing Editor An artist's conception of the Werner LNG submarine tanker Proposed routes of Werner's submarine fleet.
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Gulf of Mexico
William Furlow Houston Mobile offshore drilling rigs worldwide.
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Drilling & Production
Rick Von Flatern Houston The compact Master Lift Rigless System is designed to lower workover expenses by reducing mobilization and demobilization time and requiring dayrates lower than traditional workover rigs. Daniel Yergin, author of The Prize and president of Cambridge Energy Research Associates, has the ear of oil executives worldwide. So when results of a six-month study he chaired on the impact of information technology (IT)on E&P companies was released, industry took note.
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Submarine LNG tankers to carry Russia's ice-bound Kara Sea gas to Asia
Map of Kara Sea and transport route to Japan and China. Proposed route of Werner's submarine fleet.
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SAFETY Designers seek to ease the pain of escape
Escape systems from offshore installations can themselves be a liability to human health, if evacuees hit the water too fast or at the wrong angle. Several new initiatives are under way to tackle this problem in Europe and Canada. Lifeboats are normally mounted parallel to the sides of an installation and lowered by fall wires from a davit on the muster deck. There is the risk, though, of the lifeboats not clearing the installation and therefore suffering impact damage.
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