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    1. Vessels

    First DP3 pipelay/crane vessel built in China

    Oct. 1, 2006
    China National Offshore Oil Co.’s Offshore Oil Engineering Co. (COOEC) and GustoMSC have worked together to adapt the GustoMSC DPV7500 design into a deepwater pipelay and lifting vessel for operations in the Chinese market, but also able to mobilize worldwide.

    China National Offshore Oil Co.’s Offshore Oil Engineering Co. (COOEC) and GustoMSC have worked together to adapt the GustoMSC DPV7500 design into a deepwater pipelay and lifting vessel for operations in the Chinese market, but also able to mobilize worldwide.

    DPV7500C vessel dataItemNumberMeasureLength pp182mLength oa204.65mBreadth mid39.2mDepth mid - Main deck14mDepth mid - A deck20.3mDraft max9.5mDraft transit7mBallast32,500m3Fuel6,000m3Fresh water3,000m3Pipe storage9,000mtAccommodation389pobLSW (excl Crane)26,000tLSW (inc crane)30,000tMax Dpl (nonlifting)59,000tCrane capacity4,000/3,500mtPipelay capacity12-in in 2,000 mDJsPropulsion Azi2 x 4,500 kW9,000 MWRetractable Azi5 x 3,200 kW16 MWPower6 x 5,440 kW32.6 MWTransit speed12knots

    During the initial discussions and technical exchange, it became clear that one of GustoMSC’s existing basic designs would suit China’s deepwater strategy and also could be the basis for further customization to fill COOEC’s requirements. GustoMSC and COOEC previously carried out three design projects successfully, so a good basis for further cooperation was in place. As the result, GustoMSC now has both the vessel and stinger design contract. The prior vessels designed by the two companies included the pipelay/heavy derrick vesselLan Jiang, the 8,000-ton jacket launch barge Hai Yang Shi You, and a 30,000-ton jacket launch barge.

    The double-class (ABS and CCS) DPV7500C is among the largest DP3 pipelay vessels in the world with a center fire line consisting of five welding stations on the main deck fed from both SB and PS by two double-joint factories. It can lay pipes with 6-60 in. diameters.

    There is storage for 9,000 tons of pipe provided on the upper deck above A-deck, where two gantries equipped with pedestal cranes ensure transfer and handling of the pipe. The three section type, fixed stinger provides maximum flexibility in water depth and can handle waters from shallow to as much as 2,500 m deep.

    For offshore lifting, the vessel is equipped with a 4,000-ton, fully revolving offshore crane which gives COOEC the largest capacity offshore in the Far East.

    To keep track and position during pipelay and lifting operations, respectively, the DPV7500C is equipped with an optimized DP3 position keeping system. The thruster arrangement consists of seven thrusters, two main azimuth thrusters of 4.5 MW each aft for propulsion and five retractable azimuthing thrusters of 3.2 MW each. The two main thrusters provide a sailing speed of 12 knots. Power is generated by six 5,400 kW diesel generator sets divided over two A60 separated engine rooms and switchboard rooms.

    With the basic design of the vessel approved by CNOOC/COOEC, vessel delivery is anticipated in 2008, depending upon fabrication yard capacities and schedules.