Feature 2 | FPSO/FSO CONVERSIONS Blohm + Voss bags FPSO project
Hamburg-based Blohm+Voss Repair yard has signed a significant contract for the conversion and life extension of an FPSO.
B
lohm+Voss Repair, now part of the Star Capital Partners (SCP) Group, has underlined its intention to make
offshore-related projects a key part of its business strategy by signing a comprehensive agreement to convert and upgrade the 92,000dwt 248m long Enquest Producer, formerly known as Uisge Gorm. Originally delivered in 1983 as the tanker Dirch Maersk and converted to an FPSO in 1995, the vessel has been in the yard since January this year, and is scheduled to remain in Hamburg for around 17 months. Blohm+Voss Repair secured the work
following a hard-fought bidding process, involving an international tender that lasted for around a year. Tis is the biggest FPSO project that the German yard has carried out, although it has carried out work on several other FPSOs in the past. Te last FPSO to dock at the yard was Maersk Curlew, which spent three months at the yard in 2009 for modernisation. The scope of work that Blohm+Voss
Repair will carry out on Enquest Producer is extensive. It comprises the complete conversion of the processing plant, the installation of two boilers and steam turbine sets, rated at 12MW; the conversion of the turret and mooring system; and a complete
overhaul of the engine plant. In addition Blohm+Voss Repair will modernise the electrical and alarm systems, renovate and extend the crew accommodation spaces and modernise the helicopter deck. Tere will also be an extensive amount of steel work to reinforce the ship’s structure and an extensive preservation programme. The yard says the project will be
challenging in a number of respects. In particular Blohm+Voss Repair will have to coordinate the ongoing engineering works for the topside conversion, the marine works and the fatigue lifetime extension in parallel with scheduling the physical works, so that it can meet the anticipated delivery time in the second half of 2013. To support the latest project the yard
is investing in production facilities and equipment, and in particular now has new buildings which can accommodate the yard’s own project team and owners representatives in three designated locations around the yard, with up to 100 persons in each. It is also investing in staff development and training to ensure it has sufficiently qualified personnel for the work. Te yard will primarily utilise its graving
dock, Elbe 17, which measures 350m x 60m, for this project. In addition, however, it is
currently outfitting its floating dock 11, which has dimensions of 320m x 52m, with a moon pool that can accommodate installations with turrets and spiders. The company hopes its
success in
securing Enquest Producer FPSO conversion will lead to other work of this type in future. Company spokesman Michael Brasse says: “We do have several similar projects we are working on and we see great opportunities, due to the location of our yard, our professional and skilled staff and the industrial environment of Hamburg. Especially in the North Sea there are several installations that are due for regular maintenance and life extension work, as well as more opportunities to develop smaller fields, which could generate demand for some new FPSO conversions as well.” Since it was acquired by SCP in January
this year, Blohm+Voss Repair has said it will in future have a particular focus on the oil and gas industry, diversifying into drilling equipment and services as well as marine works. Cruise and superyacht repair and conversion work will continue to be a mainstay as well, and as a reflection of this it has been announced that Crystal Symphonie will make a 15 day docking at the yard in June this year. SRCT
The FPSO Enquest Producer, formerly Uisge Gorm, which will spend 17 months at Blohm+Voss Repair for a package of modernisation and life extension works.
28 Shiprepair and Conversion Technology 2nd Quarter 2012
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