Subsea 7's new diving support vessel (DSV), the ‘Seven Atlantic', one of the largest and most capable DSVs in the world, has completed her first diving project for Shell in the Southern sector of the UK North Sea.
The Seven Atlantic has been working in the Southern sector for Shell as well as completing various inspection tasks in the Dutch sector of the North Sea, since commencing work on the 26th of March 2010. The vessel has completed 80 saturation dives and 10 surface (air) dives as part of its first workscope.
The Seven Atlantic is being utilised to service the long-term underwater services contract Subsea 7 holds with Shell Entities, operating in Europe, for inspection, repair and maintenance programmes and for some of Shell's capital projects and decommissioning works, across its offshore fields and facilities.
Steph McNeill, Vice President for Subsea 7's UK region, commented:
"Everyone is very pleased with the Seven Atlantic's performance so far. The vessel was built to have an exceptionally good sea keeping capability and has already successfully demonstrated this ability by holding station, landing helicopters and continuing to work in the extreme sea conditions experienced on her first project. She is built and equipped for at least 60 days at-sea endurance and she is demonstrating her ability and efficiencies to complete work faster than many comparable vessels.
We look forward to working with Shell, and our other clients who will utilise this vessel, in the safe and timely delivery of the various work scopes this vessel will undertake over the next few years."
Another of the company's new additions to its fleet, the Normand Subsea remotely operated vehicle support vessel (ROVSV), went into service for Shell at the end of 2009.
Investment in the new vessels is part of an ongoing capital investment programme of over US $1bn in new assets and equipment which has seen seven vessels join the existing fleet since 2006. The eighth, the Seven Pacific pipelay and construction vessel, is expected to be delivered at the end of 2010.
The Seven Atlantic is a next generation dynamically positioned vessel specifically designed for saturation and air diving support work. The integrated saturation system has a capacity for 24 divers using a twin bell system, is built to NORSOK requirements and is configured for split level diving with advanced standards of comfort and safety for the divers. The vessel can accommodate up to 174 people (including divers). In addition, there is a twin work station integrated air-dive system for shallow diving which can also be conducted utilising Subsea 7's MCA certified Seven Spray air-dive support craft, deployed from the Seven Atlantic.
Ends 6th May 2010
For further information contact:
Subsea 7 Corporate Communications
In Houston (GMT - 6hrs) during OTC:
Julie Gauld Tel +44 (0)7872 677 257,
email: julie.gauld@subsea7.com
Lyndsey Macdonald Tel +44 (0) 7595 122 832,
email: lyndsey.macdonald@subsea7.com
Notes to editors:
Subsea 7 (OSO symbol: SUB) is one of the world's leading subsea engineering and construction companies offering all the expertise and assets that make Subsea, Umbilical, Riser and Flowline (SURF) field development possible.
With a multi-national workforce in excess of 5,000 people worldwide, the company's global offshore operations are supported out of the North Sea, Africa, Brazil, North and Central America and Asia Pacific. Subsea 7 has a fleet of industry leading, dynamically-positioned ships capable of reeled and flexible pipelay, subsea construction and saturation diving and a portfolio of pipeline construction yards worldwide. (
http://www.subsea7.com/)
Vessel images and specifications available on request - please contact above.
