New Subsea Support Vessel Ordered by Oceaneering

Oceaneering International, Inc. has commissioned the construction of a subsea support vessel from BAE Systems, expected to be delivered by the end of the first quarter of 2016.

The new ship will be U.S. flagged and documented with a coastwise endorsement by the U.S. Coast Guard.  It will have an overall length of 353 feet, a Class 2 dynamic positioning system, accommodations for 110 personnel, a helideck, a 250-ton active heave compensated crane, and a working moonpool. Two 13,000 foot-rated Oceaneering work class remotely operated vehicles will also be provided. A satellite communications system capable of transmitting streaming video for real-time work observation by shore personnel will also be installed.

The vessel will be used to augment Oceaneering's ability to provide subsea intervention services in the ultra-deep waters of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico (GOM).  These services are required to perform inspection, maintenance, and repair (IMR) projects and hardware installations.  IMR projects are expected to include chemical well stimulation and hydrate remediation.  Hardware installations are expected to include flowline jumpers, flying leads, and subsea trees, pumps, and separators.

M. Kevin McEvoy, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased to announce the construction of a vessel that will allow us to maintain our competitive position to meet what we believe will be growing demand and more rigorous technical requirements for our ultra-deepwater Subsea Projects services in the GOM.  Additionally, by being Jones Act compliant this vessel will minimize the need for and risks of vessel-to-vessel hardware transfers.

"Deepwater drilling rig use in the GOM is currently at a historically high level of 40 rigs, and recent industry market reports have forecast that it may grow to as many as 60 rigs by the end of 2015.  Our vessel will be equipped to perform increasingly complex deepwater field development installation work and life-of-field IMR projects resulting from the increased drilling activity.  In particular, this vessel will have a crane that is capable of handling lifts 100-tons greater than any of the vessels we currently operate.  This will increase our capability to meet our customers' demand to safely handle heavier subsea payloads in deeper water depths."