Semi-Submersible Saipem 7000 Arrives at Damen Verolme Rotterdam for Major DP3 Upgrade

Photo: Damen

The Saipem 7000, one of the world’s largest semi-submersible crane and pipe-laying vessels, has arrived at Damen Verolme Rotterdam for a major upgrade of its dynamic positioning system to meet the new closed ring DP3 configuration and ABS EHS-P notation.

Under DP3 EHS-P notation, the vessel will have an exceptional level of redundancy with 4 independent grouped systems.

When completed, the vessel’s DP3 system, with its 12 thrusters, will ensure that it can maintain its position in even the most adverse weather conditions. In addition, because the Saipem 7000 can accommodate up to 725 people, the vessel will be able to assist hook-up and commissioning activities as well as initial platform life support.

saipem 7000 at Damen Verolme Rotterdam — Photo: Damen

Damen says the dynamic positioning upgrade project involves the upgrade and modification of the vessel’s power system for load sharing, the installation of MV, LV and control cables, renewal of the MV and LV switchboards and motor control centers, the installation of uninterrupted power supplies (UPS), and the creation of an A60 compartment.

Works is expected to take around six months, with completion due in Q1 2019. “This represents a tight schedule, mainly due to the delivery and installation for the cables, the switchboards and the extensive structural modifications,” according to Damen.

The Saipem 7000 is owned by Saipem S.p.A., one of the world leaders in services in the oil & gas market, and managed by Saipem Offshore Norway AS.

Delivered initially in 1988, Saipem 7000 is still one of the most capable offshore vessels in the world. It can handle the entire scope of offshore construction development from pipe-laying in water depths greater than 2,000 meters to heavy lift operations of up to 14,000 tonnes. Over the last two decades, it has been a regular visitor to Damen Verolme Rotterdam, including for dry docking, special surveys, repairs, major modifications and mobilization work. Its most recent visit was in April 2018 when she spent nine days undergoing mobilisation activities.

“We are very proud to have the Saipem 7000 back at Damen Verolme,” says DVR commercial manager Praveen Badloo and sales manager for Italy Jorrit Pilaar. “The DVR team has put in a great deal of effort to win this order and together with Saipem we look forward to a successful outcome of the project.”

Detailed engineering of the dynamic positioning project is being executed by Damen Verolme Rotterdam in close cooperation with Saipem.