Drydocks World Contract for Compact Semi-Sub

Drydocks World has won a contract to build a new state-of-the-art oil well intervention Compact Semi-Submersible (CSS) vessel, representing a third order from integrated energy industries service provider Hallin Marine. The vessel will cost a total of $110m.

Designed by STX Canada Marine Inc, the diesel/electric CSS’s primary function is to facilitate repair and maintenance to an existing well, via chemical injection on braided lines, extending perforation tunnels and effectively maximizing and extending the productive life of the well.

The CSS is equipped with four fixed-pitch Azimuth thruster units and full DP-3 capacity, which enables automatic as well as manual dynamic positioning/heading control in harsh environmental conditions, and has a multiple inherent fail-safe capability.

Denis Welch, Chief Executive Officer of Drydocks World – South East Asia, noted that the vessel’s main capability of repair and maintenance is aligned with one of Drydocks World’s main strengths. “It will enable the marine equivalent of keyhole surgery to sub-sea oil production systems,” he said. “This is an exciting first for Drydocks World, also the first of its kind to be manufactured in Batam.“

Other features of the 275 ft, 8,200 dwt vessel include an active heave-compensated offshore crane, a single line lifting of SWL (Safe Working Load) 150 tonnes, a complete active heave-compensated, electro-hydraulic Deep Water Lowering System, a five tonnes provision crane and two ROV systems, one launched via the internal moonpool and the other from the vessel’s starboard. The CSS can accommodate up to 152 sub-sea team members.

Hallin Chief Executive, John Giddens, said: “Drydocks World has produced two excellent vessels for us in building the Ullswater and the Windermere and its engagement and enthusiasm for the CSS, along with a competitive price, convinced us it was the right company to build our new flagship!”

The Subsea Operations Vessel, Windermere, was completed at Drydocks World’s Singapore yard and is to be delivered shortly. The Ullswater was delivered in February 2009.

The contract for the new CSS vessel, classed by ABS, which will be named like its predecessors after one of the 26 lakes in the UK’s Lake District, has just been formally signed in Singapore.