Check out this great time-lapse video showing exactly what Allseas’ newest pipelay vessel was built to do.
In service since December 2007, the MV Audacia s-lay pipelayer was built for the execution of small to large (up to 60″) diameter pipeline projects in all water depths, as well as associated work such as the installation of risers and subsea protection frames.
The concept of Audacia was designed entirely in-house by Allseas in 2005, with a unique forward stinger and Kongsberg dynamic positioning system which allow the vessel to operate in congested and very deep waters. If you look closely, you can see that it is actually a modified bulk carrier, converted at the Keppel Verolme shipyard in Rotterdam from the Panamax bulk carrier Geeview.
The Audacia measures a lengthy 225 meters, placing her between Allseas’ pipelay vessels Lorelay and Solitaire in size. Due to the length and shape, Audacia can accommodate multiple work stations and has a greater pipe hold capacity, while an independence from anchor handlers and large buffer capacity that is less dependent on offshore pipe supply, according to Allseas.
MV Audacia Characteristics:
- Length overall (incl. stinger): 327 m (1,073 ft)
- Length overall (excl. stinger): 225 m (738 ft)
- Length between perpendiculars: 217 m (712 ft)
- Breadth: 32 m (105 ft)
- Maximum speed: 16 knots
- Accommodation: 270 persons
- Total installed power: 35,100 kW
- Dynamic positioning system: LR DP (AAA), fully redundant Kongsberg SDP-11 and SDP-22 system
- Deck cranes: 1 x Pipe transfer crane of 30 t (66 kips) at 33 m (108 ft), 1 x Special purpose crane of 150 t (331 kips) at 20 m (66 ft), 1 x A-frame of 550 t (1,213 kips)
- Work stations: Firing line with 7 (single joint) welding stations, 1 NDT station and 3 coating stations
- Tensioner capacity: 3 x 175 t (3 x 386 kips) at 30 m/min (98 ft/min)
- Pipe diameters: From 2″ to 60″ OD
- Pipe hold capacity: 14,000 t
See also: Allseas’ Giant ‘Pieter Schelte’ Caught on Camera