Offshore staff

MILAN, Italy -- Saipem plans to build a $547-million deepwater field development ship, Saipem FDS 2. The construction order will be placed with a shipyard in 2Q 2008, after completion of the engineering phase. Fabrication will last 36 months.

The new ship will have a maximum length of 175 m (574 ft), molded breadth of 32 m (105 ft), and molded depth of 14.5 m (48 ft). It will be equipped with a DP-3 system, maximum transit speed of 13 knots, and accommodation for 280 people.

The vessel also will be fitted with a vertical J-lay tower with a maximum capacity of 1,500 tons (1,680 short tons) designed for installation of up to 36-in. (91-cm) diameter pipe in up to 3,000 m (9843 ft) water depth.

12/17/2007