Rolls-Royce has won a £20million order from Chinese energy giant Sinopec to design and equip a specialist seismic research vessel.
The ship will be fitted with efficient power and propulsion systems and a range of advanced automated handling systems for seismic equipment.
Rolls-Royce has a growing presence in the subsea and seismic technology markets, and, during the last three months, inclusive of this contract, the group has secured seismic-related orders totalling more than £50million.
The UT 830 CD class vessel will be able to operate worldwide, and will be the first of its type to be equipped with a package of Rolls-Royce handling systems for seismic equipment.
It will be capable of towing an array of up to 14 cables or “streamers”, each 10km long, and have an at-sea duration of 70 days.
Unfortunately for Europe, Shanghai Shipyard Co will build the vessel for Shanghai Offshore Petroleum Geophysical Corporation (part of the Sinopec organisation), with delivery scheduled to take place in 2013.
While steel-cutting starts on the R-R ship, in the Middle East, Drydocks World in Dubai has completed another two Ulstein X-Bow type ultra-modern ice-class seismic vessels – the Polarcus Alima and Polarcus Samur.
They are part of a series of six built for Dubai-based geophysical operator Polarcus. Three have already been delivered.
Polarcus Alima incorporates sophisticated seismic technology and is capable of towing 12 streamers, with a 100m lateral separation between them.
It is a 3D/4D seismic vessel, built to the Ulstein SX134 design and Ulstein X-Bow hull.
It includes all the latest marine equipment and innovative efficiency features.
The design features high efficiency, low emission, diesel-electric propulsion, high specification catalytic converters, a double hull and the latest water treatment systems.
Polarcus Samur is built to the Ulstein SX133 design, also with an Ulstein X-Bow hull.
The original six-streamer version has been upgraded to an eight-streamer version that is capable of towing both conventional and wide-tow spreads.
It is said to be equipped with the most advanced seismic technology commercially available.
It is also compliant with DNV clean design notation that stipulates defensive design, accident prevention and consequence limitation requirements, thus providing additional environmental protection.
The sisters are fully equipped for controlling and limiting operational emissions and discharges.
These cover fuel tank protection from grounding damage, handling of ballast water, fuel oil, sewage and garbage. Each has a “Green Passport Inventory” for recycling at the end of its life.
Back on the new-build front, Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) has signed a letter of award with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the delivery of two Ramform W-class seismic acquisition vessels, with the option for another two ships.
The Norwegian company said that the vessels are the first in the new, fifth-generation Ramform series. Planned deliveries of the first two vessels are in 2013.
PGS president and chief executive Jon Erik Reinhardsen said: “The new generation Ramforms will strengthen PGS’s unique position in the seismic industry.
“Our decision to renew and expand our fleet comes at a time when we expect growth in seismic demand.”
The new generation Ramforms’ total cost will be about $250million each, including construction follow-up, commissioning and a comprehensive seismic package.
The first delivery is to be H1 2013, with the second vessel set for delivery during H2.
If the other two option vessels are confirmed, the first should be delivered during H1 2015 and the second in H2 that year.
The options must be declared within a year of signing of the final contract for the two first vessels.
These fifth-generation Ramform vessels are designed to utilise and extract the full potential from the flagship GeoStreamer technology.
PGS expects that all of its 3D fleet will be equipped with GeoStreamer by end 2013.
The vessel design is based on the demonstrated strengths of the current Ramform fleet, while improving capabilities along a number of key parameters.
The new ships are to feature a significantly upgraded GeoStreamer-based seismic package and are being designed to take full advantage of the system’s now proven towing efficiency.
They are expected to further strengthen PGS’s position in the fast-growing high density segment of the market, where large spreads, long streamers and towing efficiency are the key success factors.
The high-density segments are driven by deepwater exploration and production in geologically complex areas, such as Brazil, west Africa and the Gulf of Mexico.
In addition, the company’s GeoStreamer technology is said to be opening new markets in mature basins such as the North Sea, where the higher fidelity data can reveal new geological plays.