Judy Maksoud • Houston
Keppel and Smedvig build new drilling tender
In early April 2004, Smedvig Asia Ltd. entered into an agreement with Keppel Shipyard in Singapore to build a new semisubmersible self-erecting drilling tender (SSDT) rig. Total capital expenditure for the new semi is estimated at $94 million.
Developed by the Deepwater Technology Group, the KFELS SSDT3600-GOM-C42 will be the fourth vessel in the series of SSDTs that have been deployed in this region.
Tong Chong Heong, managing director and COO of Keppel O&M, said, "With E&P activities moving farther offshore into deepwater and ultra-deepwater areas, we decided to embark on this construction partnership as part of our strategy to meet anticipated growing demand."
Under the agreement, Keppel FELS will build the rig, while Smedvig Asia will contribute the drilling equipment. Smedvig will also be responsible for marketing, managing, and operating the rig for a 10-year period, during which time it has an option to purchase Keppel FELS' stake in the rig.
The newbuild is due for completion 3Q 2005.
Lloyd's to certify offshore LNG terminals
Lloyd's Register Americas Inc., part of the Lloyd's Register Group, has been awarded a certification services contract for ChevronTexaco's first two offshore LNG terminals to serve the US. The first of these, the Port Pelican Facility, will be located in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana. The second terminal will be built offshore the Baja Peninsula in Mexican waters and will supply natural gas to the US west coast.
Lloyd's Register Americas will provide certification services during the design, construction, and installation phases of each terminal. The terminals are the first to be developed by ChevronTexaco Global Gas, located in Houston, Texas.
Paul Huber, president of Lloyd's Register Americas, said, "This is a key project for Lloyd's Register Americas. It positions us as a front-runner for certification services in the offshore LNG terminal race that is currently underway around the world, particularly in North America, where the demand is the greatest."
Jascon 5 christened
SembCorp Marine and Consolidated Proj-ects Ltd. subsidiary Sembawang Shipyard has christened the newly outfitted Jascon 5. The Jascon 5 is a dynamically positioned Class 3 pipelay, construction, and accommodation barge.
Sembawang Shipyard landed the $20-million contract in October 2002. The yard worked closely with the owner's team to manage all aspects of the work on this fast-track project.
The shipyard's engineering team carried out 3D modeling of the vessel structure, pipes, cables, and ventilation services to ensure smooth progress during outfitting. The shipyard also carried out detailed engineering of specialized systems such as the HVAC, fuel, compressed air, water, and the complete electrical power and vessel management systems.
Major work carried out by the shipyard included installation of specialized equipment, including the SAS pipe laying equipment, Kongsberg Simrad dynamic positioning system, a pipelay stinger, and A frame.
The shipyard also installed a Huisman heavy lift crane that can revolve with a full load of 800 tonnes and a TTS/Norlift 25-tonne capacity pedestal crane that will enable the Jascon 5 to handle all pipeloading and general duties.
The barge can work on an eight-point mooring system at a limited working draft of 3.5 m when making shore pipeline approaches. The pipelay equipment has a capacity of 4- to 48-in diameter pipes and six 60-ton davits for pipeline recovery and repair. The DP system also allows the vessel to accommodate a J-lay tower to be eventually installed, when required.
Offshore Contractors Ltd., which is owned by the Sea Trucks Group in Nigeria, will operate the Jascon 5. Offcon provides transportation, construction, maintenance, accommodation, and hook-up services to the international offshore industry. The Jascon 5 is the first pipelay/construction vessel in the Jascon fleet.
The vessel completed sea trials in early April and is expected to depart to perform its first contract award in the Middle East.
The vessel will be deployed worldwide by the Sea Trucks Group.
null
Bollinger retrofits ATB
Bollinger Gulf Repair LLC recently completed a retrofit of a tug and barge to an articulated tug barge (ATB). The newly upgraded vessel uses the Intercon Coupler System, which provides a single degree of freedom allowing the tug to pitch about a transverse connection between the tug and barge. All other motions are restrained so that the tug motions match barge motions in roll and heave.
The 446-ft, 125,000-bbl barge was transformed from a single hull to double hull vessel to meet the requirements of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and was renamed Barge B. No. 275.
