Helix to use OSBIT Power for new vessels

Helix Well Ops UK awarded OSBIT Power a contract to deliver new support structures and deck equipment for two of its new well-intervention vessels. 

The design of the deck layout of the Siem Helix, which shows OSBIT’s maintenance and storage tower (grey structure to the left) and moveable deck (in orange). The BOP support stand is highlighted in pink and is positioned within the intervention tension frame (in red). Image from OSBIT.

The contract, worth several million dollars, is the latest in a series of projects to be awarded to the North East England-based company to support Helix’s well intervention operations on two new vessels to be chartered by Helix - Siem Helix 1 and Siem Helix 2.

This latest contract follows on from projects to manufacture twin ROV launch and recovery systems and an umbilical and guide wire handling system.  In March, Helix also awarded OSBIT a project to build three sets of intervention tension frames (ITFs) and ‘walk to work’ access systems for the vessels.

Each vessel will be supplied with a collection of three systems, a maintenance and storage tower, BOP support stand and moveable deck.

The structures and equipment will be delivered to Helix in early 2016 ready for installation to the vessels, which will go on charter with Petrobras upon completion.  They will be fabricated in the northeast with support from the skills, products and services from the company’s predominately local supply chain.

The maintenance and storage tower provides a safe environment to assemble and maintain subsea equipment.  The stack components are skidded into position within the maintenance tower, which incorporates a 125-tonne capacity lifting system to enable the stack modules to be progressively assembled. 

To enable safe, efficient assembly and maintenance of the equipment, the maintenance tower includes five access levels and auxiliary hoists.

Riding Mill-based OSBIT will also deliver support stands for the vessels.  These provide a safe means for technicians to work under the suspended BOP stack components to complete pre-deployment activities such as riser interface cleaning and replacement of seals.

OSBIT’s moveable deck, which will be installed adjacently to the maintenance tower and is accessible by connecting walkways, is a specialized mezzanine deck to provide an additional support and work area over the vessel’s moon pool. 

The deck, which is primarily used for well intervention operations, travels transversely, with loads up to 100-tonne, to the well center and returns to the stowed position to leave the moon pool clear.

“The award of this contract is testament to OSBIT’s strong performance in both its completed and ongoing contracts with Helix and demonstrates the ability of our engineers to deliver innovative and cost-reductive solutions,” said Dr. Tony Trapp, OSBIT Power managing director.“It also highlights the benefits of establishing strategic partnerships between operators and their supply chain, a crucial step in facilitating the development and application of innovative engineering solutions.”

Current News

Woodside Revenue Falls on Lower LNG, Oil Prices

Woodside Revenue Falls on Lowe

ABL Gets Neptun Deep Job for OMV Petrom in Black Sea

ABL Gets Neptun Deep Job for O

Petrobras and China’s CNCEC to Collaborate on Oil and Gas, Renewables

Petrobras and China’s CNCEC to

Norway Clears TGS and PGS Merger

Norway Clears TGS and PGS Merg

Subscribe for OE Digital E‑News

Offshore Engineer Magazine