One of the most famous ships in the annals of North Sea and international pipeline construction was the Apache.
Rather unprepossessing in appearance, this quite odd-looking single-reel pipelayer chalked up record after record and was progressively upgraded as the years ticked by.
Last year, Technip took the decision to replace the 30-year veteran with a new ship, spurred by the availability of a new hull that could be adapted for the purpose.
The original Apache installed its last pipeline at the end of July 2009 for the E-On-operated Babbage project in the UK North Sea.
To mark the occasion, an event was held at Technip’s spool base in Evanton, UK. Technip staff, suppliers and vessel personnel turned out to celebrate the vessel’s achievements and to say farewell prior to her heading to Finland for stripping and disposal of the hull.
The original was built in Galveston, Texas, in 1979, and has completed more than 400 pipelay projects. She specialised in the reel-lay method and was the first in the world to instal rigid pipe-in-pipe for the Esso Australia Bass Strait project. A world record was also achieved in 1998 for the installation of rigid pipe in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Apache II is quite a different ship – superbly confident in appearance. According to Technip, she represents a marriage of the best in new technology with the best in tried-and-tested technology.
The company says the new ship “preserves the track record” of the Santa Fe-built Apache by fully utilising the original pipelay spread from that vessel, together with the latest in vessel technology in the Sawicon-designed hull.
The new hull started out as the North Ocean 103 project built by Metalships in Vigo, Spain (delivered September 2009). This was converted by Technip at its Mantyluoto Yard in Finland to become the Apache II, entering service in April this year, and has carried out three tasks in the North Sea as part of the bedding-in process.
The combination of two pipelay systems makes Apache II one of most advanced pipelay vessels operating in the industry.
Technip expects the ship to strengthen its reputation as a market leader in pipelay. The company says the reel-lay method used for the installation of small and medium-diameter pipelines offers significant advantages over other methods of pipelay.
“Reel-lay provides clients with a cost-efficient, high-quality technique suitable for laying pipe in deep or shallow water. This is a technique that has been successfully applied in many offshore operational areas worldwide,” it says.
Apache II provides accommodation for up to 120 personnel split between 48 double-berth and 24 single-person berths. Onboard facilities include full medical, office, conference and internet facilities, and gym.